‘No’ to 100-year nuclear store in Snowdonia
11 November 2002
Storing nuclear waste in the heart of Snowdonia National Park for 100 years is totally unacceptable unless there is absolutely no alternative, the Council for National Parks (CNP) (1) will tell a Public Inquiry which opens on 12 November (2).
In decommissioning the Trawsfynydd Nuclear Power station, BNFL is proposing to store radioactive waste on site for the next 100 years in a new building, even though it is possible that the whole site could be cleared of all waste within the next 20 years.
“Developments like this are only allowed to go ahead in National Parks if there are no alternatives”, said Ruth Chambers, CNP’s planning expert.
CNP accepts that waste must be kept on site in the short term because there is no national safestore in the UK at present. But BNFL has not shown why nuclear waste must be left in the National Park for the next four generations.
Ruth Chambers continued, “The waste should leave Snowdonia when a national safestore gets built and this should be a condition of any planning permission”.
BNFL’s proposals also include lowering the height of the tallest building on site. Whilst this would be better for the landscape in the short term, CNP is concerned that it could make early removal of the radioactive materials inside less likely to happen.
Ruth Chambers concluded, “We must protect the integrity of Snowdonia National Park, one of Wales’ greatest jewels. The Trawsfynydd site must be cleared at the earliest opportunity”.
Notes to Editors
1. The Council for National Parks is the national charity that works to protect and enhance the National Parks of England and Wales, and areas that merit National Park status, and promote understanding and quiet enjoyment of them for the benefit of all.
2. The Public Inquiry into the decommissioning of Trawsfynydd Nuclear Power station will open on 12 November at Penrhyndeudraeth Village Hall.
For press queries please contact:
Ruth Chambers, Head of Policy on
020 7924 4077 ext. 222