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Select Committee to examine draft GDF National Policy Statement

The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee have announced an inquiry into the draft National Policy Statement for Geological Disposal Infrastructure.  They seek written evidence by Friday 15 June 2018.

The inquiry will examine the objectives and scope of the guidance for those considering GDF applications and the framework for granting development consents. The inquiry will also consider how the GDF fits in with the Government’s Industrial Strategy and emphasis on regional growth.

Rachel Reeves MP, Chair of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee, said:

“Disposing of our nuclear waste safely is an issue of paramount importance. Decisions on the locations of nuclear disposal sites may have a significant impact on local communities. It’s vital that local planning authorities and the Secretary of State have the right guidance to take these important decisions. We’ll be assessing the suitability of the draft guidance, whether there are any improvements that can be made and what factors should be part of the decision-making process.”

The Committee invites written submissions addressing any or all of the following questions:

• Are the draft National Policy Statement’s Assessment Principles and Impacts, including the requirement to take the Environmental Impact Assessment and the Habitats Regulation Assessment into account, adequate and comprehensive enough to inform development consent decisions? If not, how could they be improved?
• Should any other Assessment Principle or Impact, for example local community consent, be added to the list and, if so, why?
• What priority should each of the Assessment Principles and Impacts have or should equal weight be given to each of them?
• Are the Assessment Principles and Impacts consistent with the Industrial Strategy’s emphasis on regional growth?

You can submit your evidence through the Committee’s website.