South Copeland
South Copeland is one of three communities across England currently engaged in learning what hosting a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) could mean for them.
Introduction
The South Copeland GDF Community Partnership was formed in December 2021. It is made up of members including a Chair, the local authority, NWS, and community members.
The Community Partnership guides and supports the community through the GDF siting process by assisting with two-way communication between local people and NWS, delivering engagement activities and awarding Community Investment Funding through the Community Investment Panel.
In the community
In 2023 to 2024, South Copeland GDF Community Partnership attended over 60 engagement events and had over 900 conversations with local people. This included drop-ins, meetings, larger scale events and community shows.
A further £1million of Community Investment Funding (CIF) was granted in 2024, bringing the total invested locally to £3million so far. This money is making a difference to local people, fuelling projects that provide economic opportunities and improve wellbeing, leaving a legacy for the community, regardless of whether the community eventually hosts a GDF.
Areas of Focus in South Copeland
In the search for a suitable site for a GDF, three key elements are needed with the right sub-surface geological environment deep underground, a suitable surface location, and the ability to connect the two areas with accessways.
In South Copeland there is one surface Area of Focus (AoF) – Land West of Haverigg. The sub-surface AoF off the coast is the same for Mid Copeland and South Copeland.
Programme updates
South Copeland news
Property value protection
The NWS Property Value Protection (PVP) scheme is a support scheme and is only available to those who are able to demonstrate a compelling need to sell their property, yet have been unable to do so, other than at a substantially reduced price, due to the search for a suitable site to host a GDF in their community.