Communities
The input, engagement, and collaboration with communities is vital as we make progress in delivering our mission.
How we work with communities
There are currently three communities across England who are engaging in the programme to learn what hosting a GDF could mean for them. We are working hard to ensure people have access to all the information they need to make an informed decision.
We also work closely alongside our Low Level Waste Repository site community in West Cumbria.
We hold meetings with our different interest and stakeholder groups, hold community events, conduct site visits, and share information across a range of channels.
When considering operations, we take our responsibility as a ‘good neighbour’ seriously and plan works with minimal impact and disruption, and always endeavour to provide plenty of notice.
Communities involved in the GDF siting process
A GDF needs both a suitable site and a willing host community. This programme is unique in the UK, in that it requires explicit community support to go ahead.
Communities benefit from early funding while engaging in the process – with more than £7million already supporting a range of projects in Cumberland and Lincolnshire.
Benefits and opportunities
The community that ultimately hosts a GDF will benefit from Significant Additional Investment (SAI), potentially worth many millions of pounds.
This investment will be shaped by a local community vision and could include local education and skills capacity, transport infrastructure or recreational facilities. The programme will also create thousands of jobs and real economic growth for the host community for many decades.
Explore communities
Through our continuous programmes of national and community engagement, we build awareness, understanding and trust in our role and our work.
Mid Copeland
Cumbria
Mid Copeland covers the electoral ward of Gosforth and includes Seascale, Gosforth, Beckermet, Calderbridge, Haile, Thornhill, Nethertown and Braystones.
The Mid Copeland GDF Community Partnership was formed in November 2021.
South Copeland
Cumbria
In South Copeland, a search area which includes the electoral divisions of Millom and Millom Without is being investigated.
The South Copeland GDF Community Partnership was formed in December 2021.
Theddlethorpe
Lincolnshire
Theddlethorpe covers the wards of Withern & Theddlethorpe and Mablethorpe.
The Theddlethorpe GDF Community Partnership was formed in June 2022.
LLW Repository
Cumbria
The LLW Repository site has operated safely since 1959. Its role is to ensure that low level waste generated in the UK is disposed of in a way that protects people and the environment.