11 months ago
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The Nuclear Free Local Authorities regrets that two motions calling for public consultation amongst the residents of the Theddlethorpe GDF Search Area were both marginally defeated at last night’s meeting of East Lindsey District Council (13 December).
The UK Government’s plan is to ultimately relocate Britain’s high level radioactive waste from Sellafield to an engineered Geological Disposal Facility deep beneath either the North or Irish Sea, and the agency charged with the mission is Nuclear Waste Services (NWS), a division of the taxpayer-funded Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.
Theddlethorpe on the East Lincolnshire coast is one of three ‘Search Areas’ under consideration for the facility. There are two others – Mid and South Copeland – which lie on the West coast in Cumbria.
Each of the Search Areas has a Community Partnership comprising local Councillors and other stakeholders, supported by NWS staff, which provide some oversight and input into the GDF investigative process; however ultimately the selection of the eventual site will depend on two factors – the suitability of local geology to host the facility and the acceptability of the proposal to local people.
NWS is now busy engaged in geological and environmental survey work and has started ongoing resident consultation. Allerdale has recently been dropped as a search area because the geology was deemed inadequate, but, if the other areas pass the geology test, two will be taken forward to the point where acceptability will be decided by a ‘Test of Public Support’.
The nature of this test, and its timing, will be determined by each Community Partnership in conjunction with its Relevant Principal Local Authorities – in Cumbria, this is Cumberland Council and in Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire County Council and East Lindsey District Council together.
The two motions, proposed by Withern and Theddlethorpe Independent Councillor Travis Hesketh and Sutton Green Party Councillor Robert Watson, called for community consultations amongst the residents in the Search Area.[1]
One was a proposed consultation on the future use of the former Conoco Gas Terminal at Theddlethorpe; the site has been suggested as the surface facility for the GDF where shipments of the radioactive waste would be received, but alternately it is under consideration for the potential location of a carbon capture and storage project.
The second was a proposal to hold a consultation on the acceptability of the GDF itself. This would represent an interim public poll prior to the Test for Public Support that the Leaders of Lincolnshire County Council and East Lindsey District Council have previously promised for 2027.
Other Labour and Independent members for Mablethorpe and Sutton spoke in support, as did Independents representing Skegness; nonetheless the motions were narrowly defeated.
Both motions are reproduced as part of this media release under Notes to Editors.
Commenting Councillor Travis Hesketh said:
“Clearly the result was disappointing, but at last the community is getting a debate in the Council Chamber. It will only increase the pressure to prove that the community is willing.”
NFLA English Forum Chair Councillor David Blackburn added:
“These motions, if carried, would have given local voters the chance to express their opinion on the nuclear dump and the use of the gas terminal site for it, in advance of the promised formal Test of Public Support in 2027.
“It would infact have represented a second test of public opinion as the NFLAs believe that the first one was the local elections in May 2023, in which candidates opposed to the nuclear waste dump were overwhelmingly elected to the local town and parish councils and also to represent the Theddlethorpe, Mablethorpe and Sutton-on-Sea Wards at East Lindsey District Council.
“These consultations would have also provided a means to test some of the practicalities of actually holding the formal Test of Public Support through a referendum, the mechanism the NFLAs believe is fairest and most inclusive.”
Ends//: For more information contact NFLA Secretary Richard Outram by email to richard.outram@manchester.gov.uk
Notes to Editors
Motion 2 (as numbered on the order paper of Council business):
Development of the Theddlethorpe Gas Terminal Site
Background:
Theddlethorpe Gas Terminal (TGT) operated from 1972 to 2018. It consists of 70 Acres of industrialised land comprising hardstanding, public footpaths, roads and services which were occupied by ConocoPhillips and National Grid. The site is owned by National Grid. An extended area includes farmland, commercial and residential properties. The site has and is being cleared of industrial equipment and infrastructure. Remediation included in the decommissioning plan required restoration to agricultural land. It is directly adjacent to the Kings Nature Reserve, Seal sanctuary and holiday camps. It is served by the A1031.
Motion:
- We strongly urge ELDC to take the following actions:
Carry out a public consultation to shape the vision for the TGT site. To be completed within the next 6 months. The site is in the Withern and Theddlethorpe ward and directly adjacent to Mablethorpe. The consultation should, therefore, include these wards. This consultation is to gauge the sentiment of the local residents toward the uses for the site.
- Design and synchronise this consultation exercise to maximise public participation and minimise costs. Use multiple tactics to solicit input. This approach will ensure that as many residents as possible can have their voices heard on this critical matter.
- Present the consultation plan to the elected councillors.
- Analyse and provide raw data and a public report on the outcome. Commit to respecting the outcome of the consultation as an essential reflection of the community’s wishes and sentiments.
- With a vision for the area confirmed ELDC will be able to turn the vision into detailed proposals prior to a further consultation.
By adopting this motion, East Lindsey District Council reaffirms its commitment to upholding the principles of democracy, transparency, and accountability, as well as its responsibility to protect the interests of its constituents and the efficient use of public resources.
Motion 3 (as numbered on the order paper of Council business):
Understanding if Withern and Theddlethorpe and Mablethorpe (the Search Area) Are Willing Participants in the GDF project.
Background:
This council acknowledges the potential impact that the proposed nuclear waste Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) has on the local communities of Withern, Theddlethorpe, and Mablethorpe. This impact extends beyond the local residents to businesses, tourism, East Lindsey District Council (ELDC), and Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) resources, as well as the financial burden on taxpayers.
Furthermore, this council appreciates the commitment of ELDC and LCC to establish a Test of Public Opinion in the Host Area by the end of 2027. 4+ years away.
This council recognises that as a member of the Community Partnership that “community consent is at the heart of the process” but this has never been tested.
This council recognises that a motion requesting a referendum to seek the views of the community have been judged unlawful. It leaves residents frustrated that they are unable to express a community view.
Motion:
As stewards of public funds and proponents of local democratic processes, we strongly urge ELDC to take the following actions:
- Carry out a public consultation independent of Nuclear Waste Services Ltd, within the next 6 months, in the “Search Area” encompassing Withern, Theddlethorpe, and Mablethorpe. This consultation is to gauge the sentiment of the local residents toward the continuation of the GDF.
- Design and synchronise this consultation exercise to maximise public participation and minimise costs. Use multiple tactics to solicit input. This approach will ensure that as many residents as possible can have their voices heard on this critical matter.
- Analyse and provide raw data and a public report on the outcome. Commit to respecting the outcome of the consultation as an essential reflection of the community’s wishes and sentiments.
By adopting this motion, East Lindsey District Council reaffirms its commitment to upholding the principles of democracy, transparency, and accountability, as well as its responsibility to protect the interests of its constituents and the efficient use of public resources.
1. The Theddlethorpe Search area and GDF plan appears below (Credit: Theddlethorpe GDF Community Partnership)
