Low level radioactive waste depository near Drigg

Stephenson Halliday were engaged by British Nuclear Group to assist with their planning application for higher stacking of containers at their Low Level radioactive Waste (LLW) repository at Drigg. The planning application was initially submitted by British Nuclear Fuels plc. It sought permission for the disposal of further half height ISO containers to be accommodated within Vault 8 of the repository by increasing the permitted height of containers from 4 to 6 at the highest point. The planning application was accompanied by an Environmental Statement. Following receipt and consideration of the planning application Cumbria County Council Planning Authority wrote to BNF plc notifying them that it would be necessary to provide further information on a number of matters principally noise and the visual impact of the proposal.

At the time of the application the Government was undertaking a policy review of the management of LLW. Because of this review, it was suggested by Cumbria County Council that the application should be amended such that the higher stacking proposal would be just for temporary storage pending the outcome of the policy review.

In the light of the responses from Cumbria County Council, Stephenson Halliday prepared and submitted a document entitled “Environmental Statement Further Information”. This document presented the further information requested by the County Council including a summary of the comprehensive landscape and visual assessment carried out and the noise assessment that was undertaken. The proposal was also amended to temporary storage. The application was subsequently approved in early 2006.

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