Theddlethorpe GDF Community Partnership

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A new Chair appointed to the Community Partnership

July 26, 2024

David Fannin is now Independent Chair of Theddlethorpe GDF Community Partnership.

Head and shoulders photo of David Fannin, independent chair of the Community Partnership

David accepted the role at the Community Partnership (CP) meeting on 18 July. He replaces Jon Collins who has been interim chair since the CP was established in June 2022.

The Community Partnership will play a critical role in discussions about whether the area could be the right place to host a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF).

David joined the Partnership in December 2022 and is workstream lead for the Community Investment Funding (CIF). He works with the local CIF advisory panel to review and award grants to local projects.

He said, “I am honoured to chair the Partnership.  Geological disposal is one of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects and I thank fellow members for placing their confidence in me to fulfil this important role. I also wish to thank Jon, for his time and effort guiding the Partnership to this point.

“I have long been an advocate for communities and I’m looking forward to having different conversations on whether this could be the right place to host a GDF.  This will include getting answers to vital questions such as, will a GDF be safe, and what it could mean for the area in terms of social, environmental, and economic impacts (good and bad) in the short and long-term, if it happens and if it doesn’t.

“I fully support the Community Partnership in its role of ensuring the community has all the relevant information it needs to make an informed decision.”

David is a director of Lincolnshire Voluntary Engagement Team and previously was chief executive of Lincolnshire Community Voluntary Service. He has worked with community groups, public sector, business and third sector colleagues in these roles and has over 20 years’ experience of local government, including Assistant Chief Executive at South Holland District Council.

David explained: “The Partnership has access to up to £1 million of Community Investment Funding per year, and I am committed to making sure that this funds things that are important to the community and supports those who are vulnerable and in need.

“I look forward to meeting and working with people, sharing information with the community, listening to different views and encouraging constructive conversations.”

The Community Partnership is made up mainly of local people and local authority leaders, plus a representative of NWS as the GDF developer. Its role is to provide information and enable people living in the identified Search Area to consider the safety and suitability of hosting a GDF and the opportunities and impact it may have for the area.

A GDF is an underground facility designed to safely and securely dispose of radioactive waste. Deep geology beyond the coast is being considered for siting the underground elements of a GDF. This means a surface facility on, or near, the coast would provide access to a disposal area deep in rock beyond the coast.