Landfill site bid to accept nuclear waste

A landfill site is bidding to process radioactive waste after its owners claimed there weren't enough places in the UK to deal with it.


Augean owners of the East Northants resource management facility is hoping to be allowed to dispose of wastes, such as soils and construction materials, from the decommissioning of nuclear power stations and other buildings like hospitals.

Waste from these sites contains low level radioactivity and needs to be processed by specialist plants, which must be authorised and approved for radioactive waste.

The company currently has permission to accept hazardous waste at its landfill facility and soil treatment centre, formerly known as the Kings Cliffe Landfill Site, which has been in operation since 2002.

Augean is preparing a planning application which will be submitted to Northamptonshire County Council in June and an application for an authorisation to accept this waste will also be submitted to the Environment Agency.

Dr Gene Wilson, Technical Director at Augean, said: “If we are granted authorisation, the East Northants site would be an important resource that is currently lacking.

“Government policy and national strategy has identified this need and we all have a responsibility to help positively address our national legacy from the power enjoyed from the UK’s former nuclear sites.

“I would like to stress that the waste only contains very low levels of radioactivity and that they will be managed in a way that even under worst case scenarios will give rise to an insignificant risk to the public or our staff.”

A public exhibition will be held at Kings Cliffe Memorial Hall, Eagle Lane, Kings Cliffe PE8 6XB on Thursday, 21 May 2009, between 11am and 8pm.

Members of the public will have an opportunity to look at the proposals and talk through any comments or concerns with members of Augean staff and representatives of the Environment Agency and Health Protection Agency, who will be in attendance throughout the day.

Luke Walsh

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