DT2 8WG, Nuclear Restoration Services Limited, EPR/PB3898DC/V004: application to change (vary) the radioactive substances permit at Winfrith nuclear site

Overview

The Environment Agency is the independent environmental regulator for the nuclear industry in England. We make sure that nuclear power stations and radioactive waste disposal sites meet our high standards of environmental protection throughout the stages of design, construction, operation and decommissioning.

Operators of nuclear sites in England must have a permit for radioactive substances activities from the Environment Agency under the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016 (EPR16). The environmental permits we issue to nuclear site operators contain strict conditions (rules) that they must follow at all times.

Our consultation

The Winfrith site is operated, and being decommissioned, by Nuclear Restoration Services Limited (NRS).

The Winfrith nuclear site was built in 1957 as a research and development facility and operated until 1995. There were nine prototype nuclear reactors at the site, but only two remain (the Steam Generating Heavy Water Reactor and Dragon). Decommissioning and demolition of all the site structures is ongoing and the aim is to return the site to heathland with public access.

We are seeking your comments on an application received from Nuclear Restoration Services to change (vary) its radioactive substances permit EPR/PB3898DC/V004 for

Winfrith nuclear site Gatemore Road Dorchester Dorset DT2 8WG

Nuclear Restoration Services wants to make on-site disposals of low-level solid radioactive waste at the Winfrith nuclear site. Both the Steam Generating Heavy Water Reactor and Dragon reactors have large sub-surface voids or basements constructed from reinforced concrete. Nuclear Restoration Services plan to demolish all the remaining site buildings including the reactor buildings to ground level and backfill the sub-surface voids with the demolition waste. This will mostly be concrete, bricks and tiles. Some of the floors and walls of the sub-surface structures have low level radioactive contamination and some of the waste that will be used to backfill the structures will be radioactive.

We set specific limits in the permit on what NRS is allowed to release when carrying out certain activities, including:

• managing or disposing of radioactive waste

• making discharges to air and water

Most of the demolition waste will not be radioactive and NRS have also applied for a separate Deposit for Recovery waste permit (EPR/CP3329LD) to allow the use of non-radioactive, non-hazardous site derived construction and demolition waste for infilling the sub-surface voids. This application can be viewed and commented on here: https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/psc/dt2-8wg-nuclear-restoration-services-limited-a001

Why your views matter

We aim to build and maintain confidence in our decision-making processes through our public engagement and consultation. It is our responsibility to make decisions about environmental permit applications for radioactive waste disposal, but we consider that our decisions can be improved through consultation with a wide range of stakeholders. We can all help to protect and improve the environment by being actively involved. Our public participation statement shows how our process is open, transparent and consultative. Our approach to consultation is in line with the government’s published consultation principles. We would like people to understand our role in relation to radioactive waste disposal, what we are doing and why it’s important.

Our consultations are open to everyone and we invite the following groups to take part:

• the nuclear and radioactive waste disposal industry

• members of the public and communities (including local interest and action groups) near to the Winfrith site and other nuclear sites

• elected representatives, including MPs and councillors

• local councils in Dorset or near other nuclear sites

• academics, scientists and consultants with an interest in radioactive waste disposal, nuclear power, energy or the environment

• non-governmental organisations (NGOs), campaign groups and environmental groups

• statutory consultees

• other government agencies

• other regulators

• any other organisation or public bodies

We will carefully consider consultation responses as part of our determination of the application. We will publish and consult on our proposed decision.

We will only vary the permit if we believe that harm to the environment, people and wildlife will be minimised. If the applicant can demonstrate that the varied permit will meet all of the legal requirements, including those for the use of Best Available Techniques (BAT), public radiation dose and wildlife radiation dose, then we are legally obliged to grant the application.

Advice about what aspects and issues we can and cannot take account of is provided below.

We can take account of:

• relevant environmental regulatory requirements and technical standards

• information on local population habits and practices and sensitive sites

• comments on whether the right process is being used for the activity

• the potential impact, whether the impact is acceptable and what pollution control measures or abatement may be required

• the shape and use of the land around the site in terms of its potential impact, whether that impact is acceptable and what pollution control or abatement may be required

• information that we have not been made aware of in the application.

• Any incorrect information in the application

We cannot take account of:

• issues beyond those in the relevant environmental regulations

• anything outside the scope of the Environmental Permitting Regulations

• whether a site should have a formal designation under Habitats Directive or other conservation legislation

• whether the activity should be allowed or not as a matter of principle and the Justification of practices involving radiation - for example, we will not consider the justification for the UK’s nuclear energy policy.

• the impact of noise and odour from traffic travelling to and from the site

• comments about the Government’s nuclear site decommissioning policy

• Comments about the transport of radioactive waste

• the legally defined process we follow to determine a permit

Related consultations

We are also consulting on an application from Nuclear Restoration Services for a new Waste Deposit for Recovery permit (EPR/CP3329LD/A001). NRS need this permit in order to backfill the subsurface structures with the demolition wastes that are not radioactive.