Lincolnshire has decidedly rejected a contentious proposal for the construction of a nuclear waste storage facility, following a vote by the county council to withdraw participation in the process. The proposal was presented by Nuclear Waste Services (NWS), pinpointing land near Louth, East Lindsey, as a suitable location for a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF).
Years of public disquiet came to a head when council leader Sean Matthews announced an end to discussions, condemning the previous administration for extending the period of uncertainty. NWS had initially centered their attention on the former Theddlethorpe gas terminal, located near Mablethorpe, before redirecting to an area sandwiched between Gayton le Marsh and Great Carlton.
The recent resolution reflects East Lindsey District Council’s previous withdrawal, effectively putting a stop to the project due to insufficient community approval. Matthews, a representative of Reform UK, censured the preceding Conservative leadership for continuing the process. However, Conservative leader Richard Davies reaffirmed his party’s dedication to heed community voices.
Relief was palpable among the local opposition group, Guardians of the East Coast, who noted the adverse effects of the lengthy decision-making process on residents’ lives. Despite NWS’s £2m investment in local initiatives, many community members remained vociferously against the proposal, emphasizing the psychological toll it took on them.
This decision draws the curtains on a divisive episode in Lincolnshire’s history, resulting in the region no longer being a contender for the storage of UK’s nuclear waste. This article was derived from original reporting by The Lincoln Post.
