Committees

Committee launch inquiry into nuclear waste disposal

25 May 2018

The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee examines draft guidance on the determination of nuclear waste disposal planning applications.

The inquiry into the draft National Policy Statement for Geological Disposal Infrastructure examines the objectives and scope of the guidance for those considering applications and the framework for granting development consents. It will also consider how it fits in with the Government's Industrial Strategy and emphasis on regional growth.

Chair's comments

Rachel Reeves MP, Chair of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee, said:

"Disposing of our nuclear waste safely is an issue of paramount importance. Decisions on the locations of nuclear disposal sites may have a significant impact on local communities. It's vital that local planning authorities and the Secretary of State have the right guidance to take these important decisions. We'll be assessing the suitability of the draft guidance, whether there are any improvements that can be made and what factors should be part of the decision-making process."

Send a written submission

The Committee invites written submissions addressing any or all of the following questions:

  • Are the draft National Policy Statement's Assessment Principles and Impacts, including the requirement to take the Environmental Impact Assessment and the Habitats Regulation Assessment into account, adequate and comprehensive enough to inform development consent decisions? If not, how could they be improved?
  • Should any other Assessment Principle or Impact, for example local community consent, be added to the list and, if so, why?
  • What priority should each of the Assessment Principles and Impacts have or should equal weight be given to each of them?
  • Are the Assessment Principles and Impacts consistent with the Industrial Strategy's emphasis on regional growth?

Send a written submission to the inquiry on draft National Policy Statement for Geological Disposal Infrastructure.

The deadline for submissions is 15 June 2018. 

Further information

Image: iStockphoto