Trust?

HOW CAN SOUTH COPELAND GDF COMMUNIITY PARTNERSHIP (AND MILLOM TOWN COUNCIL, WHICHAM AND MILLOM WITHOUT PARISH COUNCILS) TRUST THE DEVELOPERS WHEN THEY PERPETUALLY LIE OR GIVE MISINFORMATION?

For example,

  1. Local councils were initially told they needed to sign up to the Community Partnership in order to access the funding – it later turned out they could still access the funding whether or not they were in the CP.
  2. We (the public) were told the Community can withdraw at any time:  not true, only Copeland and NWS can withdraw at any time.
  3. We were told the developers will take into consideration environmental issues:  not true, they used exemption to get permission for seismic surveys despite research which says these are dangerous to marine life.
  4. We were told the community will be at the heart of the siting process and decision-making:  not true, the community has not been consulted on where the GDF will be sited nor have we taken part in any decision-making.  (Unless, of course, the Community Partnership is considered to be ‘the community.’)  Even the baseline survey, which found 61% were against the GDF being sited here is being ignored on the grounds that only about 150 people took part.  But they will use the findings to fine-tune their message to the public.
  5. We were told to come and meet the experts at information events:  no nuclear experts there – many of locals who attended knew more about the issues.
  6. In making their decision to grant exemption re seismic surveys, the Marine Management Organisation said they “understand that NWS have had ongoing engagement with the public via their community partnerships.” NWS might have ongoing engagement with the public via the community partnerships but neither they nor the community partnerships take any notice of what the public say.
  7. In letter of 21st October NWS say “currently no site for the surface elements of a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) have been identified. The current studies are focused on understanding the feasibility of hosting a GDF in South Copeland and any potential site will not be identified until these studies have been completed which could take 3 – 5 years.”  It is quite clear from the Initial Evaluation Report that the area they are looking at is the old airfield at Haverigg and part of Kirsanton.

If after analysing the results of the seismic surveys the developers wish to continue to the next stage of drilling bore holes, how can we trust them to do this in a way that the radioactive mud which lies on the seabed all along the coast of south and mid Copeland, is not disturbed?  Or will the MMO – who will need to give permission – simply waver an exemption again because it is ‘research’?????