Consultation on an update of the UK Strategy for the Management of Solid Low Level Radioactive Waste from the Nuclear Industry
Download the full outcome
Detail of outcome
In August 2010 the NDA published the UK Strategy for the Management of Solid Low Level Waste from the Nuclear Industry; identifying a review cycle in line with that for the review of the NDA Strategy. The review process commenced in April 2014 and the resulting consultation document was published in January 2015 by Government. The consultation closed in April 2015. Government has now published the consultation response, updated strategy and updated SEA documents including a post adoption statement.
There were 53 responses to the consultation in total. Of the 53 respondents, 28 did not directly answer the consultation questions, but provided a more general response. These responses are considered under question 7. The remainder of the document provides a high level summary of the consultation responses and the UK Government’s response to these, organised under each question of the consultation.
Having considered the responses to the consultation the Government has concluded that the direction of travel for LLW management within the nuclear industry is correct.
Original consultation
Consultation description
In 2014 the NDA conducted a review of the 2010 UK nuclear Low Level Waste (LLW) strategy. Following the review DECC (on behalf of UK and Devolved Governments) are consulting on proposed changes to the strategy, with the aim of publishing an agreed final strategy in Autumn 2015.
The review revealed widespread recognition that the policy had delivered a step change in LLW management and concluded that the nuclear strategy and implementation arrangements were generally considered to be working well and there was a clear appetite for stability and continuity.
While the scope and direction of the original strategy remain unchanged, the consultation document reflects the progress that has been made since 2010. It also reflects the expected direction for Low Level Waste (LLW) management in the future. Central to the strategy is the implementation of the waste hierarchy, which supports the provision of continued capability and capacity for the safe, secure and environmentally responsible management and disposal of LLW in the UK managing LLW in the UK.
Strategic Environmental Assessment - Environment Report (SEA)
SEAs are a systematic process to ensure that environmental and sustainability considerations are taken into account by public authorities in the development of strategies, plans and programmes. As such an SEA was produced to accompany the 2010 UK nuclear LLW strategy. The SEA was included in the 2014 NDA review of the LLW Strategy, and has been updated as an integral part of that process by the NDA. The SEA is also published alongside the consultation as supporting material.
Documents
Last updated 10 February 2016 + show all updates
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Government Response added
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First published.