Millom Town Council has received clarification from the Ministry of Justice after fears that Haverigg prison could close for a Geological Disposal Facility.

The clarification was needed after Nuclear Waste Services published its Areas of Focus on February 7, with land West of Haverigg being one of the three areas chosen.

The Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, Lord Timpson has replied to the Town Council saying: “While the selected land in South Copeland is owned and managed by the Ministry of Justice as part of the prison estate, I can reassure you that the future position of HMP Haverigg will not be affected by the potential development of a new GDF.”

While Nuclear Waste Services has identified the land as an Areas of Focus this does not mean a GDF will be sited in this area.

The Areas of Focus enable Nuclear Waste Services to focus more in-depth studies and investigations to help experts understand and consider the potential for an area to safely and securely host a GDF.

When announcing the areas Corhyn Parr, Chief Executive Officer at Nuclear Waste Services said: “NWS is delivering a GDF as the safe, secure, and long-term solution for the most hazardous radioactive waste.

“We are making real progress and establishing these Areas of Focus will focus our investigations to help us determine the potential suitability of a specific area, with on-the ground surveys, further desk studies and engagement with landowners.

“A GDF requires a suitable site and willing community and will only be developed when both are in place.

“We will continue our engagement with local people and stakeholders, and will be holding events in local communities to talk about what this means for each area.”

In the search for a suitable site for a GDF, three key elements are needed with the right sub-surface geological environment deep underground, a suitable surface location, and the ability to connect the two areas with accessways.

Two surface Areas of Focus have been identified in Mid Copeland – Land East of Sellafield and Land East of Seascale. In South Copeland there is one surface Area of Focus – Land West of Haverigg.

The sub-surface Area of Focus in the deep geology off the coast is the same for Mid Copeland and South Copeland.

Identifying these areas enables Nuclear Waste Services to focus site evaluation studies, such as transport and environmental surveys, and the site characterisation work needed to consider the potential for an area to safely host a GDF.

Construction will only start when a suitable site is identified, a potential host community has confirmed its willingness to host the facility, and all the necessary consents and permits have been obtained.