Geological Disposal Facility siting process review
Download the full outcome
Detail of outcome
We have analysed your feedback, responding to what you told us.
There were 719 responses to the consultation in total, 301 of which were part of a letter writing campaign.
We have provided a high level summary of these responses and the UK Government’s response to these, organised under each question of the consultation.
We have also published a renewed White Paper an approach based on working with interested communities to find a suitable site.
Feedback received
Detail of feedback received
Responses to GDF consultation
The government has published all responses received to the recent consultation on the siting process for geological disposal. A short report summarising these responses and reports of events held during the consultation have also been published.
This is not an official Government Response because it does not draw any conclusions about changes to the siting process.
Later in the year we will publish a revised siting policy alongside a Government Response which explains how what we heard during consultation has informed the revised policy.
Stakeholder events
To support its GDF siting review consultation, DECC commissioned a number of engagement events with the public and various stakeholders during November and December 2013 at locations in England and Wales.
What we heard during these events will allow the government to understand people’s views on its proposals; it will also help to inform policy development, although it is important to note that the events complemented the consultation rather than acting as formal responses. DECC encouraged all attendees to submit formal responses alongside their attendance.
The views expressed in these reports summarise those of participants in the workshops, not necessarily those of DECC; nor do they necessarily reflect government policy.
Why events were ‘invitation only’ and not open to anyone who wanted to attend
Formal responses to the consultation document were the principal means by which the public and institutional stakeholders could comment on, and influence, government’s proposals. The events held during the consultation period were an additional means of eliciting views on our proposals, and encouraging informed responses to the consultation from a diverse and balanced range of respondents.
A webchat was held on 18 November 2013 to respond to any questions from the wider public and stakeholders. Answers from the event and responses to any outstanding questions are available.
Roles during events
Three organisations delivered the events: Jacobs UK Ltd, IPSOS Mori and 3KQ Ltd.
The events were supported by Sciencewise and engagement with the public during this process was conducted in accordance with the Sciencewise “Guiding Principles” for public dialogues on science and technology.
In accordance with these guiding principles and to ensure independence and oversight, DECC convened a group of representatives from three external organisations to act as a ‘stakeholder reference group’ before, during and after the events. The organisations involved represented three sectoral stakeholder groups: Non-governmental organisations, nuclear industry (Nuclear Industry Association) and local authorities (Nuclear Legacy Advisory Forum). The group advised on the provision of balanced and objective information; participants to be invited and on the reporting of the events.
Finally, in order for DECC to learn from the engagement events, it engaged an independent auditor ICARUS Ltd to evaluate the events and provide a ‘’lessons learned’’ report. The stakeholder reference group also prepared a note with its own reflections on the engagement events. This will be appended to the ICARUS report.
Original consultation
Consultation description
This consultation seeks views on potential amendments to the site selection process for a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF).
Documents
Last updated 24 July 2014 + show all updates
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A government response to the consultation has been published today.
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All responses to the consultation, a short report summarising these responses and reports of events held during the consultation have been published
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An update to the consultation with instructions for those sending a response via email. If you have sent your response to the ‘non-gsi’ email address and received a bounce-back notification, please resend your submission to radioactivewaste@decc.gsi.gov.uk by 19 December 2013.
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Welsh translation of consultation document added.
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First published.