THE PUBLIC will be centre stage in discussions about the disposal of nuclear waste in Allerdale.

Council bosses agreed on Wednesday that Allerdale Borough Council would join a Community Partnership to discuss the area's potential as a home for GDF.

A Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) stores higher activity radioactive waste deep underground and a Community Partnership discusses the implications of siting one in a particular area.

The Community Partnership discussing GDF in Allerdale will be formed with the public, Radioactive Waste Management, the borough council and Cumbria Association of Local Councils.

Allerdale Council voted to accept an invitation to join the partnership on the grounds that all parts of the Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty are removed from the Search Area. The executive also included that Deputy Leader of the Council Marion Fitzgerald will be their representative on the community partnership.

The Community Partnership Agreement will be drawn-up by the Chief Officer.

Cllr Marion Fitzgerald said that she is motivated to put the public's views on GDF first in the talks.

"The Community Partnerships, there's no blueprint for them because they tend to evolve in their own way. I think unlike the MRWS process, RWM have been very clear from the beginning, this is based on community consent. The most important message from last week's meeting is this is in no way consent that Allerdale will host a GDF."

Nevertheless, the consultation process between RWM, the public and Local Government is a big body of work.

Cllr Fitzgerald said: "I think it's estimated the conversation will take 10 to 15 years. The other thing RWM have been very clear about is they won't be starting any construction until it's fully ascertained that the geology is there.

"And also there would have to be a willing host community."

The Search Area being considered for an underground disposal facility includes the electoral wards of Aspatria; Broughton St Bridgets; Dalton; Ellen & Gilcrux; Flimby; Harrington & Salterbeck; Maryport North; Maryport South; Moorclose & Moss Bay; Seaton & Northside; St John’s; St Michael’s and Stainburn & Clifton.

"There have been a lot of concerns raised reflecting back on the last process."

Desk based investigations carried out when Nirex were interested in a nuclear waste disposal facility in Allerdale, identified that the geology could be unsuitable.

Cllr Fitzgerald said: "But I think the fact of the matter is we never really got that far in the process. Internationally it's been identified there are three suitable rock types that could host a GDF."