Wedoany.com Report-Jun 5, Lincolnshire County Council has opted to end discussions regarding the potential construction of a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) for radioactive waste in Theddlethorpe, eastern England. This decision leaves two communities in Cumbria, Mid Copeland and South Copeland, as the remaining participants in the UK’s process to select a site for the permanent deep burial of nuclear waste.

In June 2022, a Community Partnership was established in Theddlethorpe to evaluate the feasibility of hosting a GDF deep underground beyond the coastline. The designated search area included the electoral wards of Withern & Theddlethorpe and Mablethorpe. Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) engaged with local residents to foster understanding of the GDF project. On May 29, 2025, the council reviewed a report on the proposed facility, and on June 3, 2025, the Executive Board voted to withdraw from the siting process, ending Theddlethorpe’s involvement in the Community Partnership.

NWS Siting and Communities Director Simon Hughes stated: “NWS has to-date granted over GBP2 million (USD2.7 million) to support local community projects in the area and we are pleased to have left a lasting positive legacy for local people.” He added: “We will now take the immediate steps needed to close the Community Partnership and the communities of Withern and Theddlethorpe, and Mablethorpe will leave the GDF siting process.”

The GDF is designed as a network of engineered underground vaults and tunnels to safely store higher-activity radioactive waste, ensuring no harmful radiation reaches the surface. Other countries, including Finland, Sweden, France, Canada, and the USA, are pursuing similar disposal solutions. In January 2025, NWS identified areas in Mid Copeland, South Copeland, and East Lincolnshire for detailed suitability studies. South Holderness in East Yorkshire joined discussions in January 2024 but withdrew in February 2024, while Allerdale in Cumbria was removed in September 2023 due to unsuitable geology.

NWS stated: “The siting process will continue to progress as we engage with the two Community Partnerships in Mid and South Copeland, who are already learning more about this vital project and the benefits and opportunities it could bring.” The organization also plans to explore opportunities for additional communities to join the process.

The withdrawal of Lincolnshire shifts focus to Cumbria, where Mid and South Copeland continue to evaluate hosting a GDF. The project aims to provide a safe, long-term solution for nuclear waste management while delivering community benefits through investment and engagement.