Hello and welcome to the 12th issue of the South Copeland GDF Community Partnership newsletter.
Since becoming Chair in mid-2025, my focus has been on ensuring local voices are heard, information is shared openly, and the community feels supported throughout the Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) process.
The Partnership is continuing to build its connections across the area. We host drop-in events, attend meetings organised by local groups, and hold our meetings in public with Q&A sessions. We’ve also expanded our work with young people, including Millom School and Drigg Young Farmers. This engagement is helping us better understand what matters most to people, while creating opportunities for ongoing conversation with the GDF developer Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) (more on this on page 4).
A key focus over the past year has been developing a Community Vision to reflect local views and explore if a GDF could support the area’s long-term aspirations. From 557 questionnaire responses, three main themes emerged: improvements to transport; economy and employment; and health and social care. These points have informed a draft Vision, available on our website.
In this issue, you’ll find information from NWS on Wintering Bird Surveys (page 5), as well as an update on Community Investment Funding (page 9). Since the Partnership was formed in December 2021, over £4 million has been awarded to support a wide range of local projects.
I’m also pleased to welcome Millom Town Council back to the Partnership, represented by Ray Williamson, and to welcome HMP Haverigg as a new member, represented by Elaine Chapman. They bring important local knowledge from both the Town Council and one of the Search Area’s largest employers. You can read their introductions on page 7.
I hope you find this issue interesting, and as I have recently been re-appointed as Chair, I look forward to continuing this important conversation with local people in the year ahead.
Andy Pratt, Chair of South Copeland GDF Community Partnership
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