Thank you for visiting our website, where you can access information and latest news. We aim to help you understand more about a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) and what it could mean for the area. We work with the developer, NWS, to make sure that technical information is made available to inform discussion.
We will provide opportunities for people to get involved in different conversations on whether this area could be the right place to host a GDF. Looking at questions such as, is it safe, and what it could mean for the area in terms of social, environmental, and economic impacts.
The Partnership provides access to Community Investment Funding, of up to £1m per year, to help get resources for things that are important to the community, and support those who are most vulnerable. Details of how to apply are on the CIF funding page.
I look forward to meeting and working with people, listening to their views and thoughts, encouraging constructive conversations, and understanding the information you need. We are creating a community vision for the area, shaped by you. Tell us what is important for you and your family. What is your community vision?
Do you have questions or comments? Please get in touch via our Contact Us Page
David Fannin, Independent Chair
A Geological Disposal Facility, or GDF, is an underground facility designed to safely and securely dispose of our radioactive waste – specifically ‘higher-activity’ waste (the most radioactive kind).
It involves building a series of specially designed and engineered vaults and tunnels deep underground. It could potentially be three times deeper than the height of the Shard in London, Britain’s tallest building.
Once the waste is placed inside a GDF, the facility will eventually be permanently sealed. The way the facility is designed and engineered means it can be sealed to protect people and the environment for hundreds of thousands of years, without needing any maintenance, while the radioactivity fades away naturally.
Scientists and other authorities all over the world agree that a GDF is the safest way to deal with ‘higher-activity’ radioactive waste (the most radioactive kind) for the long term. This international consensus comes after decades of scientific research.
The Office for Nuclear Regulation and the Environment Agency will review the designs for a GDF, the proposed site, and the science that informs them, to make sure it protects people and the environment. A GDF will only be built if it can be shown to be safe for both people and the environment. As soon as construction starts on a GDF, the site will have to meet strict safety standards.
The Working Group identified the Search Area in Theddlethorpe, that NWS as the GDF developer could investigate further.
This covers the wards of Withern & Theddlethorpe and Mablethorpe.
The Working Group has recommended that the investigation initially focuses on the former Theddlethorpe gas terminal site, and the deep geology within the inshore area up to 22km beyond the coast.
The community will be engaged in discussion via the Community Partnership throughout this process.
Further information can be found in the Finding a Suitable Site tab.
A Community Partnership must have at least one relevant principal local authority (district or county council), alongside the GDF developer (NWS) and members of the community. The aim is for the membership to be reflective of the local community in the Search Area.
Find out more about the members of the Theddlethorpe GDF Community Partnership.
The Community Partnership will continue the conversation about geological disposal, work to develop a vision for the future of the community in the Search Area and provide answers to people’s questions.
When everyone’s had plenty of time to get informed and make up their minds, there will be a Test of Public Support. This will take the form of something like a poll or referendum that lets every voter in the electoral wards around the proposed site have their say about a GDF.
Without their support, the project will not go ahead.
What is a GDF?A Geological Disposal Facility, or GDF, is an underground facility designed to safely and securely dispose of our radioactive waste – specifically ‘higher-activity’ waste (the most radioactive kind).
It involves building a series of specially designed and engineered vaults and tunnels deep underground. It could potentially be three times deeper than the height of the Shard in London, Britain’s tallest building.
Once the waste is placed inside a GDF, the facility will eventually be permanently sealed. The way the facility is designed and engineered means it can be sealed to protect people and the environment for hundreds of thousands of years, without needing any maintenance, while the radioactivity fades away naturally.
Making sure it is safeScientists and other authorities all over the world agree that a GDF is the safest way to deal with ‘higher-activity’ radioactive waste (the most radioactive kind) for the long term. This international consensus comes after decades of scientific research.
The Office for Nuclear Regulation and the Environment Agency will review the designs for a GDF, the proposed site, and the science that informs them, to make sure it protects people and the environment. A GDF will only be built if it can be shown to be safe for both people and the environment. As soon as construction starts on a GDF, the site will have to meet strict safety standards.
Which area is being considered?The Working Group identified the Search Area in Theddlethorpe, that NWS as the GDF developer could investigate further.
This covers the wards of Withern & Theddlethorpe and Mablethorpe.
The Working Group has recommended that the investigation initially focuses on the former Theddlethorpe gas terminal site, and the deep geology within the inshore area up to 22km beyond the coast.
The community will be engaged in discussion via the Community Partnership throughout this process.
Further information can be found in the Finding a Suitable Site tab.
Who is part of the Theddlethorpe GDF Community Partnership?A Community Partnership must have at least one relevant principal local authority (district or county council), alongside the GDF developer (NWS) and members of the community. The aim is for the membership to be reflective of the local community in the Search Area.
Find out more about the members of the Theddlethorpe GDF Community Partnership.
Community and choiceThe Community Partnership will continue the conversation about geological disposal, work to develop a vision for the future of the community in the Search Area and provide answers to people’s questions.
When everyone’s had plenty of time to get informed and make up their minds, there will be a Test of Public Support. This will take the form of something like a poll or referendum that lets every voter in the electoral wards around the proposed site have their say about a GDF.
Without their support, the project will not go ahead.
This interactive diagram explains more about the GDF siting process.
This interactive diagram explains more about the GDF siting process.
A Programme of Activities is the work that will be carried out by the Community Partnership to learn more about a GDF and what this may mean for this community.
Community Investment Funding recognises the long-term nature of the GDF project, and that the benefits associated with jobs, infrastructure and major investment may not materialise until the project has been running for several years.
The Theddlethorpe and Mablethorpe community will initially have access to £1 million per year, rising to £2.5 million per year if the project progresses to technical investigations requiring deep boreholes.
The Partnership is primarily here to be the key vehicle for conversations with the local communities in Theddlethorpe and the surrounding area and NWS, as the GDF developer, in a process that will take several years.
We are here to continue these conversations with people and enable them to find out more, explore the issues, and continue to have their questions answered.
The residents of the area around the proposed GDF site would have the final say on whether they want to host a facility, in what is known as a Test of Public Support, and the Community Partnership will oversee this. The elected local authorities on the Partnership can also withdraw the area at any point in this process, right up until the Test of Public Support.