OFFICIAL NuLeaf Steering Group Meeting: National Policy Statement for Geological Disposal Infrastructure March 2018
OFFICIAL Aims/ Objectives of this session • To update participants on history, context and current proposals in the National Policy Statement. • To allow participants to explore and understand the implications of the National Policy Statement (for themselves and other stakeholders) and raise questions and take part in discussions. • For BEIS to understand common issues and questions on the National Policy Statement arising from any discussions following this session 2 Footer text
OFFICIAL
OFFICIAL Background • The GDF has now been made a ‘nationally significant infrastructure project’ in law. Legislation was passed in March 2015 to bring development of a GDF and associated deep boreholes within the coverage of the Planning Act 2008. • BEIS will bring forward a National Policy Statement and accompanying Appraisal of Sustainability and Habitats Regulation Assessment for public consultation. • The Planning Inspectorate will examine the eventual development consent application before recommending to the Secretary of State whether or not to grant development consent. • As part of this process, the developer is obliged to consult various bodies – including the local community. 4
OFFICIAL What are National Policy Statements (NPSs)? • The primary purpose of NPSs is to guide the Planning Inspectorate and the Secretary of State when examining and making decisions on applications for development consent; it will also aid the developer in their application for development consent. • It gives clear and unambiguous guidance as to whether development consent will be granted or not. • It provides faster and more transparent delivery of planning decisions. Since the introduction of the Planning Act and NPSs, the average length of planning applications for energy infrastructure has reduced from 3 years to 18 months. • NPSs undergo a process of public consultation and parliamentary scrutiny, before being published
OFFICIAL NPS for Geological Disposal Infrastructure Scope • GDFs and deep boreholes • Generic (i.e. not site specific) • England only • Subject to an Appraisal of Sustainability (compliant with the requirements of the Strategic Environmental Assessment ( SEA) Directive) and Habitats Regulations Assessment
OFFICIAL NPS for Geological Disposal Infrastructure for Radioactive Waste Content • Introduction (purpose and scope) • Policy background • Summary of need • Assessment principles • Impacts (environmental and socio-economic)
OFFICIAL Need for a GDF • Waste is presently stored at 30+ sites across the UK. Some of the higher activity wastes will remain hazardous for hundreds of thousands of years; new interim stores currently being built typically have a design life of one hundred years. Therefore long-term storage is not a viable option as stores would have to be rebuilt and the waste packages within them repacked. • GDF is an enabler for the new nuclear plants . New nuclear power is required for the UK to meet its energy and climate change objectives and is part of the Government’s strategy for moving towards a decarbonised, diverse electricity sector by 2050. • As one of the generations that has benefitted from medical treatments, research, electricity and defence activities that have all produced radioactive waste, we should dispose of the waste and not pass on the problem to future generations. • There is overwhelming international consensus that the best means of disposal is in a GDF; this is backed up by CoRWM’s review in 2006 (and statement in 2013) and accepted in the Government’s response to CoRWM’s recommendations.
OFFICIAL Need for a GDF
OFFICIAL Radioactive waste
OFFICIAL Example potential impacts of a GDF Visual/Landscape Influx of workers increasing demand on services Traffic Construction (congestion) Noise
OFFICIAL Supporting documents NPS AoS HRA (Appraisal of Sustainability) (Habitats and Regulations Assessment) The main purpose of an AoS is to ensure Identifies and assesses the likely that the likely environmental and significant effects of NPS on European socioeconomic effects of the NPS, at a nature conservation sites such as: national level, are identified, described - Ramsar sites and evaluated. As well as to propose - Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) mitigation or enhancement measures - Special Protected Areas (SPAs) where appropriate.
OFFICIAL The key stages towards designation of the NPS – anticipated timeline Lay final NPS (and response to Lay draft NPS in consultation and response to Parliament Parliamentary scrutiny) in Parliament GDF and Select boreholes Outcome of Public Committee become scoping consultation scrutinise (Option of) ‘nationally consultation on draft NPS Parliamentary significant on AoS and NPS/AoS/H and debate infrastruct HRA RA publish ure report projects’ March February January May - Sept 2016 2015 2018 - April July 2018 2018 2018 Select Committee Scrutiny of the NPS
OFFICIAL ANY QUESTIONS ?
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