Welcome
A message from our chair
A warm welcome to the Allerdale Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) Community Partnership and thank you for taking the time to read our very first newsletter.
As interim Chair, I’ll be here for the first few months to help establish the Community Partnership and continue the conversation with the community.
A Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) has the potential to be a major boost to Allerdale’s future prosperity and unlock major investment, but without public support the project will not go ahead.
The Community Partnership exists to make sure that all voices are heard, and it’s really important residents understand that, should a potential site be identified within Allerdale, then a final Test of Public Support will need to be carried out involving those who live in the potential host community and unless that is positive, then construction could not start and the process would end in this area.
We’ll now start to plan a programme of activities, offer guidance on Community Investment Funding and share information about the programme as we continue to explore the subject with the public.
I look forward to meeting local people and listening to your views, and in the meantime, I encourage anyone with questions or comments to get in touch.
Mary Bradley – Independent Chair, Allerdale GDF Community Partnership
Community Partnership Members
The Community Partnership is required to have a membership that is diverse and fully reflective of the Search Area community. One of the first tasks for the Community Partnership is to expand the current membership and recruit new members, not only to the Partnership itself, but also for a Community Investment Fund panel and Stakeholder Group.
If you are interested in getting involved, application packs will be available to order on our website from Monday 7th March 2022. The closing date for applications will be Monday 28th March.
The current membership comprises of an independent, Interim Chair and representatives from Nuclear Waste Services (NWS), Allerdale Borough Council, Cumbria Association of Local Councils (CALC), Cumbria Chamber of Commerce and Inspira:
- Mary Bradley, Interim Chair, Allerdale GDF Community Partnership
- Councillor Marion Fitzgerald, Deputy Leader, Allerdale Borough Council
- Gordon Grant, Community Engagement Manager, Nuclear Waste Services
- Chris Shaw, Cumbria Association of Local Councils (CALC)
- Richard Miller, Cumbria Chamber of Commerce
- Deborah Naylor, Inspira
For more about the Community Partnership members, visit here.
Community Investment Funding
Grant funding of up to £1 million annually has been made available by central government for the Allerdale GDF Community Partnership as it participates in the siting process for a Geological Disposal Facility.
The grants can be used to fund projects, schemes or initiatives that:
- provide economic opportunities
- enhance the natural and built environment, or
- improve community wellbeing.
Funding will rise to up to £2.5 million per year if the GDF programme in Allerdale progresses to technical investigations requiring deep boreholes.
Community Investment Funding recognises the long-term nature of the Geological Disposal Facility project, and that the benefits associated with jobs, infrastructure and major investment may not materialise until the project has been in operation for several years. The Allerdale community will initially have access of up to £1 million per year.
The fund is now open for applications. To apply, visit here or for more information or email: communityinvestment-allerdale@nda.gov.uk
Information and Resources
Allerdale GDF Community Partnership Virtual Exhibition
Below you will find some useful resources available on the website:
- More information about the Community Partnership and GDF Programme
- Support and information on how to apply for Community Investment Funding
- Learning resources, including interactive e-learning modules
- Virtual Exhibition
- Details of upcoming events
- News and blogs (including all previous Working Group newsletters)
- Research on Allerdale’s geology
- Answers to your frequently asked questions
Stay in Touch
We want to hear your views and help you find all the information you need, so please contact us with any comments or questions:
Email: gdfinfo-allerdale@nda.gov.uk
Call: 0300 369 0000
For hearing and speech impaired customers please call via Relay UK on 18001 (all calls are charged at local rate)
Write to us: Allerdale GDF Community Partnership, GDF Enquiries, PO Box 734, Swansea, SA1 9RP
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