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CUMBRIA | The NUCLEAR INDUSTRY

49K views 191 replies 9 participants last post by  denm 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Council backs new nuclear power station build
Thursday 13 January 2011, Whitehaven News


COPELAND councillors have reaffirmed their support for a new nuclear power station on land adjacent to Sellafield, as part of its response to a government consultation.

Copeland’s full council meeting yesterday agreed a response to the government’s re-consultation on its National Policy Statements (NPS) for Energy.

This is the policy documents that outline the government’s approach to energy generation and which list potential sites for new nuclear power stations.

The authority has previously backed plans for a new power station near to Sellafield, which was always the council’s priority site.

Council leader, Elaine Woodburn, said: “Councillors on all sides of the political spectrum have backed plans for a new nuclear power station adjacent to the Sellafield site.

“All councillors recognise the significance of building a power station in Copeland, and the impact it could have on our economy.

“We’ve taken huge steps forward with nuclear new build since we last considered these policy statements, and are now working with a potential developer and with our partners and the commercial sector regarding grid connections. This is down to the hard work and belief of those involved.”


Read More - http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk/ne...cks-nuke-new-build-1.798591?referrerPath=home
 
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#2 · (Edited)
No mention on SSC of one of the biggest developments in the NE and Cumbria, which is the search for a new waste depository for Sellafield. My understanding is that they want to start generating electricty again at Sellafield but have been told that a new waste depository must be found first. Two sites have been identified; one up the coast near Silloth, the other under Red Pike in the Ennerdale valley. In both cases the waste would be transported via a tunnel leading directly from Sellafield. In the case of Red Pike, this would mean excavation of large ammounts of granite, which could be sold. In the case of Silloth, the excavations would be of no value and would amount to the equivalent of 5 great pyramids. The site at Red Pike would need to be geologically investigated with bore-holes and dynamite. Tens of thousands of these measurements would need to be made, which would take many years, during which time the area would be closed off to the public. No decisions have been made. The locals are in uproar while politicians are supportive due to potential for investment and jobs.


Official website:
http://www.westcumbriamrws.org.uk/


"At a public meeting held in Ennerdale heard how nuclear waste could be stored under the Lake District National Park.

Around 160 local residents heard new details about the plans for a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) to store nuclear waste in West Cumbria and potentially in the valley. The meeting received presentations from independent experts on geology, the environment and law as well as from Mr A Ellis Chief Engineer for the GDF from the Nuclear Decommissioning Agency (NDA) and also the Managing Radioactive Waste Safely (MRWS) engaged geologist Dr Dearlove.

At the end of the meeting those present were asked (on a show of hands) whether they wanted the repository project to proceed or not? There was unanimity that the project should not proceed and various actions were agreed in this regard. During the meeting it was confirmed that the NDA/Government are currently only looking at West Cumbria, as this is the only area to have expressed an interest. Dr Dearlove for MWRS acknowledged that he has identified two "rock volumes" in West Cumbria which he believes are potentially suitable for a repository. These are beneath Eskdale/Ennerdale, and close to Silloth."


http://www.cumbria24.com/news/2012/...-no-nuclear-waste-under-cumbria-lake-district


There are actually 2 mountains called 'Red Pike' within fairly close proximty. I believe the one in question sits between Ennerdale and Buttermere. Following the ridge from left to right, Red Pike is the third peak along:



This site is around 10 miles as the crow flies from Sellafield itself.

.
 
#3 ·
No mention on SSC of one of the biggest developments in the NE and Cumbria, which is the search for a new waste depository for Sellafield. My understanding is that they want to start generating electricty again at Sellafield but have been told that a new waste depository must be found first. Two sites have been identified; one up the coast near Silloth, the other under Red Pike in the Ennerdale valley. In both cases the waste would be transported via a tunnel leading directly from Sellafield. In the case of Red Pike, this would mean excavation of large ammounts of granite, which could be sold. In the case of Silloth, the excavations would be of no value and would amount to the equivalent of 5 great pyramids. The site at Red Pike would need to be geologically investigated with bore-holes and dynamite. Tens of thousands of these measurements would need to be made, which would take many years, during which time the area would be closed off to the public. No decisions have been made. The locals are in uproar while politicians are supportive due to potential for investment and jobs.

If there are some details around about this, and it looks like it is to become a 'Project', it could then be set up in it's own Project Thread . . .
 
#4 ·
I'll try to find out more. Here's some other related news:

"The Albion Square development in the Cumbrian town of Whitehaven is a key project in the Britain’s Energy Coast (BEC) programme.

http://www.theconstructionindex.co...._albion-square-nda-offices-morgan-sindall.jpg

The development will comprise two four-storey office buildings, totalling 100,000 sq ft, on two adjacent sites on Swingpump Lane in the centre of the town. Once complete, the offices will house approximately 1,000 Sellafield Ltd office workers who will move from the Sellafield site. RMJM acted as concept and design architects and Hurd Rolland Partnership as project architects, with project management by Drivers Jonas Deloitte. Albion Square forms part of the wider West Cumbria Economic Blueprint, published by BEC earlier this year. The Blueprint outlines how BEC will help West Cumbria capitalise on a potential £90bn worth of investment in the nuclear industry and exploit opportunities in renewable technologies"


Read more at:
http://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/morgan-sindall-wins-18m-office-scheme-in-whitehaven
 
#8 ·
. . . .
It does surprise me that the waste cannot be reprocessed instead of being burried.
These are not mutually exculsive processes.

Fuel is processed, but after separation, there remains a residue which is at a much lower level of activity, but still carries an unsatisfactory level of activity which merits long-term burial.

Similarly, there are other low-level hazardous products, of little or no significant impact in themselves and which present a negigible hazard, but in their cumulative volume are not suitable for separation processes so must be dealth with by simple reduction and storeage.

I believe that underground storeage of low-level waste is reasonable, proportionate and, crucially, safe.
 
#10 ·
I live in Copeland, where Sellafield is based. Although I don't work there, 40 per cent of jobs in the borough depend on Sellafield, and the high wages it pays make a huge difference to the local economy. Also the 500 new jobs announced 3 weeks ago will make a huge difference to the local economy, which since the end of coal, chemicals and steel production, has become dependent on Sellafield as the only place that employs well paid staff in large numbers.
Without Sellafield it's likely Copeland could have become depressed as some of the towns in the North East, which had little to fall back on when their traditional industries declined. At least Sellafield has taken up plenty of the slack locally from the end of traditional industries, although pockets of severe unemployment exist locally and wages for non Sellafield workers are far lower( tell me about it).
 
#11 ·
Lake District National Park may host nuclear waste site
BBC News Website, 12th January 2013


Sellafield already stores a large amount of radioactive waste

CAMPAIGNERS have called for the Lake District National Park to be excluded from a search for an underground nuclear waste repository in Cumbria. Councils in the west of the county have expressed an interest in taking waste from the Sellafield reprocessing plant, but at a public meeting in Keswick the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) was urged to rule out the national park.

The NDA said the park's geology could make it suitable for a repository.

The Lake District National Park Authority has already told the government that a repository "would not be in the long term interests of the Lake District". Copeland and Allerdale have been earmarked as potential sites to store high-level radioactive waste.


Read More - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-20998160
 
#16 ·
Protests at nuclear waste store meeting in Carlisle
By Ian Duncan, Cumberland News, 25th January 2013



Anti-nuclear campaigners protested in Carlisle as trade union leaders gave their backing to a study into the possibility of an underground atomic store in Cumbria.

A meeting took place at the city’s Hallmark Hotel today as the debate over whether the county should remain in the running to be considered for a repository continues.

Three councils – Cumbria County, Copeland and Allerdale – will decide on Wednesday whether to go to the next level of feasibility studies to see whether Cumbria can be considered as a serious contender for a store.


Read More - http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk/new...eting-in-carlisle-1.1030422?referrerPath=home
 
#17 ·
Mrs NH has just received this e-mail, this morning . . .


-------Original Message-------

From: Hannah Lownsbrough - 38 Degrees
Date: 29/01/13 ; 13:09:26
Subject: Our national treasure is under threat


Dear Mrs _ _ _ _ _ _ _


It has inspired our poets and painters for centuries, and still provides a haven of unspoiled beauty and calm for millions of visitors every year, but if we don’t act, our iconic and beloved Lake District could soon be known as something else: the UK’s newest nuclear waste dump and the largest toxic dump in the world. [1]

We’re not making this up. And if this plan goes ahead, it’s not only radioactive waste we’d be dumping: we’d likely be kissing goodbye to tens of thousands of jobs and wiping billions of pounds off our tourist industry as well.

We don’t have much time - decision-makers meet tomorrow. But they’re under heavy pressure already - experts have condemned the plans, local people have been up in arms and thousands have signed a 38 Degrees petition to stop the nuclear dump. A late surge of signatures could be all we need to push them over the edge - and stop this crazy plan once and for all.

Click here to sign the petition:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/stop-lakes-nuclear-dump

A few years ago, the government asked local councils to volunteer to store the country’s nuclear waste. Cumbria County Council responded, lured by the prospect of new jobs in construction. Now councillors are meeting tomorrow to vote whether to start investigating potential dump sites - either next to or actually inside the borders of the national park.

They’re actually considering this. Radioactive waste. Inside our largest national park.

Eminent scientists like Stuart Haszeldine of the University of Edinburgh are already warning that if a dump is built, radioactive gas could leak to the surface within 60 years. But you don’t have to be a geology professor to work out that this plan is a monumentally bad idea. [2]

If we can show local officials their dumping plans are likely to cause a national outcry, they’ll be much more likely to quietly drop them at their vote this Wednesday. Sign the petition now:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/stop-lakes-nuclear-dump

When David Cameron’s government tried to sell off our forests, we didn’t let them sweet-talk a few local decision-makers with promises of economic gain. We banded together as a nation and said, ‘no way - this history, this heritage, this space for wild beauty and freedom belongs to all of us.’

Well, the Lake District is a national treasure. It employs 55,000 people in tourism alone - but how many people are going to want to visit a national park scarred by a Channel Tunnel-sized construction project? Who’s going to go on holiday to a toxic waste dump the size of a city? This is going to cost jobs - and far more than will ever be created by turning the Lake District into the UK’s newest dumping ground. [3]

Most of the country still has no idea this is happening - and we only have 24 hours to spread the word far and wide. Click here to sign the petition - and share it with your friends:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/stop-lakes-nuclear-dump


Thank you for standing up for something so special,

Hannah, David, Marie and the 38 Degrees team


PS: Our petition is going to be hand-delivered to local officials tomorrow. It was set up by 38 Degrees member Peter Maher from Cumbria on the new ‘Campaigns by You’ part of the 38 Degrees site. ‘Campaigns by You’ is a free and powerful tool that lets you start and run campaigns on any issue you care about. Check out the campaigns that are already running or start your own here: http://you.38degrees.org.uk/


NOTES
[1] The Guardian: 'Nuclear waste? No thanks,' say Lake District national park tourism chiefs
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/jan/16/cumbria-tourism-chiefs-oppose-nuclear-waste-burial
[2] Open Democracy: How to bury nuclear waste under the democratic carpet in Cumbria
http://www.opendemocracy.net/openec...lear-waste-under-democratic-carpet-in-cumbria
[3] Cumbria Tourism research
http://www.cumbriatourism.org/research/surveys-data.aspx
 
#18 ·
Any idea why your wife was targeted with the e-mail NH? Seems a bit strange and improper that they're going further afield to get support for their objection. The way I see things, 99% of people in the local area (i.e. Ennerdale) are opposed to this, but there will be more support in the surrounding towns like Cleator Moor and Whitehaven in which the nuclear industry is considered vital. I heard rumours that a formal referendum was being planned, in which case the catchment area chosen would have a crucial role in the outcome.
 
#19 ·
Any idea why your wife was targeted with the e-mail NH? Seems a bit strange and improper that they're going further afield to get support for their objection.

Seemingly she became involved with the organisation the e-mail about Cumbria came from ("38 Degrees, People, Power, Change") in connection with an un-related "E-Petition" to the Prime Ministers Office.

Occasionally, since that (successful, as it happens) petition she was involved with, she now receives e-mail contact from them about subjects they think she might also like to get involved with.
 
#20 ·
From the Whitehaven News: "COPELAND Council has voted 'yes' to going forward to the next stage of the repository search process. Members of the council's Executive committee voted six to one in favour of moving to stage four of the process of finding an underground site locally to house high-level nuclear waste. Council leader Elaine Woodburn told today's meeting: "I don't know whether a geological disposal facility (GDF) is right for Copeland - and if the next stage finds that it's not then I will be the first to say we don't want it. But we have taken the right decision today to try and find out."

Read more:
http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk/new...repository-search-1.1031405?referrerPath=news
 
#21 ·
More news. Looks like the decision is final - no:

"Energy secretary Ed Davey said they respected Cumbria council's decision not to go-ahead with the search for a suitable site. Members of the county's cabinet voted 7-3 against proceeding at the end of a meeting lasting almost four hours in Carlisle.

That came after Copeland council's executive had earlier voted six to one in favour of moving to stage four of finding an underground site locally to house high-level nuclear waste. It had been agreed that both county and borough councils needed to be in favour for the process to continue.

"As such, the current process will be brought to a close in west Cumbria," added Mr Davey. “We will now embark on a renewed drive to ensure that the case for hosting a GDF (geological disposal facility) is drawn to the attention of other communities.


http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk/new...umbria-government-1.1031507?referrerPath=home

Response by 'Nathan': "Being an employee of the County Council I am bound to respect its decision and remain neutral. This will not be the case right now. I express disgust at Councillor Martin and Councillor Young for putting politics before what's right, they should press on with the process and press for the survey to be taken anyway - to eliminate any uncertainty. What they have done, is condemned Sellafield. Mr Martin should not stand for election if he is as exhausted as what he says.

Well, the NIMBYs can rejoice."
 
#22 ·
Also Sellafield will be taking on another 142 workers to add to the 500 new posts announced in December. These are the sort of high quality jobs the area needs as the loss of the chemical and steel industries over the last 20 years has seen well paid manual jobs dry up.
 
#23 ·
Public Inquiry to be held into Keekle Head low-level radioactive waste decision
By Karen Morley, Cumbria 24, 21st June 2013

Cumbria County Council will be giving evidence at a Public Inquiry being held next week into a decision by the council to refuse planning permission to use the Keekle Head former open cast coal mine in West Cumbria as a site to store up to a million cubic metres of low-level radioactive waste for the next 50 years.

The original decision to refuse planning permission was made in May 2012 by the County Council’s Development Control & Regulation Committee (DC&R). The original applicant, Endecom Ltd, submitted an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate, who have determined that a Public Inquiry is the appropriate forum to review the decision.

Mr Jonathan King BA DIPTP MRTPI is the Inspector who will chair the Public Inquiry and then prepare a report and recommendation for the Secretary of State, who will decide whether the original DC&R decision should be upheld or overturned.

The Inquiry will be held over an expected two-week period at County Hall, Kendal and will begin on Tuesday 25 June at 10am. As well as evidence from county council planning officers, planning consultants specialising in ecology and landscape will be presenting evidence to support the council’s original decision. Expert witnesses will also be representing the applicant Endecom.

Members of the public may attend the inquiry and, at the Inspector’s discretion, express their views. If they wish to do this it is recommended that they attend on the first day of the Inquiry to ensure the Inspector is aware of their wishes. The appeal documents relating to this case are available online at - http://onlineplanning.cumbria.gov.uk/ePlanningOPS/loadFullDetails.do?apl...


Read More - http://www.cumbria24.com/news/2013/...kle-head-low-level-radioactive-waste-decision
 
#24 ·
Public Inquiry over Keekle Head nuclear
waste plan started today.

By BBC News, Cumbia, 25th June 2013


Artists impression of the proposed facility

A PUBLIC INQUIRY is now under way over plans to create a site for low-level radioactive waste in west Cumbria.

Cumbria County Council had rejected proposals by Endecom UK to build the repository on the site of a former coal mine at Keekle Head, near Distington. The council said the plan would have an "unacceptable impact" on the surrounding landscape.

However, Endecom, owned by recycling giant Sita UK, have appealed, triggering the week-long inquiry in Kendal, which started today.


Source - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-23044387
 
#25 ·
Like it or not, the nuclear industry has saved Copeland from the kind of industrial collapse experienced in places like Consett and the Durham coalfield when their industries went. Although the area has suffered from the decline of industries such as coal, chemicals, steel and textiles, Sellafield and its associated industries has kept the local economy afloat and provides 11,000 direct and indirect jobs in the area.
 
#26 ·
Over 100 apprentices taken on at Sellafield

From today's Journal Live, copyright NCJMedia Ltd @ http://www.thejournal.co.uk/business/business-news/over-100-apprentices-taken-sellafield-5831313

Over 100 apprentices taken on at Sellafield
By Robert Gibson - 3rd September 2013


The Sellafield plant

More than 100 apprenticeships have being created at Sellafield Ltd, the company responsible for decommissioning and cleaning up Europe’s most complex nuclear site.

The new recruits, who are mostly aged between 16 and 18, start on the programme next week and will undergo three and a half years of training with a job in the nuclear industry guaranteed for all who complete their courses.

Sellafield Ltd runs apprenticeships across a range of skills, including electrical, mechanical and business administration.

For the first time this year, it also has programmes in project management and health physics.

The majority of the 113 posts are based at the Sellafield site in West Cumbria, with a further eight new apprentices taking up roles at the company’s office near Warrington, in Cheshire.

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for further education, skills and lifelong learning, Matthew Hancock MP, said: “Apprenticeships are a great way for young people to get the skills and training they need for sustainable careers where they’ll have the opportunity to earn a good wage.

“It is fantastic news that Sellafield Ltd is providing opportunities for young people to get the skills they need for a career in the energy sector.

“Big companies have a duty to train and develop local workforces, and I am delighted that Sellafield Ltd is honouring its obligations by investing in a training program which will not only benefit the company long term but which also provides opportunities for young people in the communities in which the company operates.”

The Sellafield site, which opened in the 1940s, was home to the UK’s nuclear weapons program, the world’s first commercial nuclear power reactor and various nuclear fuel storage facilities.

Read more @ http://www.thejournal.co.uk/business/business-news/over-100-apprentices-taken-sellafield-5831313
 
#27 ·
Steve
I nearly posted this, but you beat me to it. This is good news and the barman in my local in Whitehaven starts as an apprentice IT techinician in October. He'll start on £ 219 a week, but once qualified, should be on £ 35,000 a year plus overtime and allowances.
Sellafield really does pay well and has kept the local economy from caving in as other industries have gone. Typically a process worker with shifts and allowances can make over £ 40,000 a year and skilled workers are on £ 50,000, some rising to £ 60,000. However, there is a two speed economy locally, where the 40 per cent who work at Sellafield are doing very well, but the other 60 per cent like me aren't.
 
#28 ·
Further to previous posting on this thread - http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=104641357&postcount=23

Campaigners boycott underground Nuclear
Store Consultation 'in protest'

By Jenny Barwise, News & Star, 20th September 2013


Artists impression of the proposed facility

Anti-nuclear campaigners are boycotting a Government consultation into a massive underground nuclear storage facility. Radiation Free Lakeland has hit out at the Department of Energy and Climate Change after it revealed plans last week for a new siting process for a Geological Disposal Facility. The pressure group has circulated a letter to Cumbrian parish councils calling for them to object to the consultation, which would see the decision on whether a community should show an interest in hosting the facility, taken at a borough-council level rather without the county council having a say.

Marianne Birkby, of Radiation Free Lakeland, said that the group would not be responding to the national consultation and will be “boycotting” it in protest at Cumbria being “once again in the frame” Ms Birkby believes any new consultation should not include Cumbria as the county pulled out of the previous process earlier this year. “Radiation Free Lakeland do not believe the ‘solution’ is geological disposal anywhere,” she said. “There is no ‘solution’ as such but an acceptance that the waste needs to be looked after and repackaged again and again into eternity to separate it from the environment. If the Government is hell bent on geological disposal the people of Cumbria have said no and the search for a geological disposal site should continue elsewhere.”


Read More - http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/c...round-store-consultation-in-protest-1.1085998
 
#29 ·
elsewhere
But where though? The protesters have so far blocked attempts to even look for a safe site. The waste still exists and still needs to be dealt with, but the attitude is "no you can't investigate this site, it won't be suitable". They appear to be taking the anti-nuclear argument to the point where they're opposed to absolutely everything associated with the industry even if it's ultimately counter productive.
 
#30 ·
Like it or not, and we do get some outsiders moving in who moan about Sellafield spoiling the view while enjoying their comfortable retired lifestyle, the nuclear industry is the main mover in Copeland. Sellafield has taken on another 800 workers this year, this is the biggest industrial investment in the area since the THORP plant in the eighties, and these are high quality jobs which pay at least £ 27,000 a year after training with the opportunity to earn far more.
In my lifetime I've seen all the other major industrial employers close in the area, some of which were high paying jobs such as the chemical industry, which has left us very dependent on Sellafield. However, Sellafield certainly keeps the area relatively prosperous and the expansion recently has kept unemployment around the national average. ( 20 years ago unemployment locally was 15 per cent and I for one spent 14 months fruitlessly searching for work as the job market dried up after THORP finished).
 
#36 ·
Hello Talisker
Swingpump Lane is probably the ugliest street in Whitehaven with the seventies eyesore the multistorey car park and a featureless Argos shop. It was even worse until the noughties when an ugly brick bridge crossed the street.
Actually the multi storey, which is badly lit and makes people unsafe, has never been well used and will probably see most use when Sellafield takes it over.
 
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