Introduction
We are the Waste Planning Authority for Somerset, excluding Exmoor National Park, responsible for determining planning applications for radioactive waste management in Somerset, apart from Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.
The Government expects us to plan for the sustainable management of low level radioactive waste (LLW).
Industry may also propose treatment and storage of intermediate level waste (ILW).
What we are responsible for
We are responsible for planning policy on radioactive waste in Somerset. A chapter in the Somerset Waste Core Strategy (adopted 2013) focuses on radioactive waste treatment and storage (covering LLW and ILW), supported by evidence.
Our planning policy team has updated a topic paper on radioactive waste, which is available in the Downloads section of this page. This replaces a topic paper on radioactive waste approved in early 2012.
Hinkley Point is the main producer of radioactive waste in Somerset and is the main focus of our work on radioactive waste planning policy.
Hinkley Point includes:
- Hinkley Point A: a first generation nuclear power station which is now being decommissioned. Its Site Licence Company is Magnox Ltd.
- Hinkley Point B: is a separately licensed operational power station. Its Site Licence Company is EDF Energy.
- Hinkley Point C: Preparatory works have started on site. Main site works are due to start after a final investment decision by EDF Energy, which is expected soon.
Our role
We have a role in non-nuclear industry radioactive waste planning and in monitoring developments that might impact on Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM), co-operating as appropriate with the Environment Agency:
- SCC must be informed by the evidence available on non-nuclear industry radioactive waste. There is no evidence to suggest that Somerset generates significant amounts of non-nuclear radioactive waste (from sources such as hospitals, universities and military establishments). Our main area of responsibility lies in keeping a watching brief on the waste management routes available and identifying any blocks that may impede Somerset producers from accessing those routes.
- The oil and gas sector is the main source of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) generated by development. Somerset does not have an active oil and gas sector, though there are licences offered by central government in the latest round of onshore oil and gas licensing. Our main responsibility around NORM is in monitoring relevant developments, in particular those associated with the oil and gas sector, and reviewing any implications for Somerset.