A NEW chairman has been appointed for the South Copeland GDF Community Partnership.

Ged McGrath will bring 20 years of public facing experience to the role, he also serves as a Copeland Borough Council member for Black Combe and Scafell.

Community Partnerships are tasked with discussing the potential to host a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) with residents in an area under consideration.

The Community Partnership formed in December 2021 to take forward discussions about whether South Copeland could be the right place to host a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF).

Its Search Area includes the electoral wards of Millom and Black Combe & Scafell and its role includes providing information for local people, helping with community discussions, questions and concerns.

A Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) is an underground facility designed to safely and securely dispose of higher activity radioactive waste.

Chair of the South Copeland GDF Community Partnership, Ged McGrath, said: “As chair, I’ll continue to support the establishment of the Community Partnership and take forward the conversation with the community.

“It’s crucially important that residents in the Search Area - the electoral wards of Millom and Black Combe & Scafell – understand that they make the decision as to whether or not they want a Geological Disposal Facility, and the Community Partnership’s role is to ensure that the community has all of the relevant information that they need about the process.

“We’ll now look to develop our membership so that it is reflective of the local community, plan a programme of activities, share information and engage with the community about the potential to host a GDF, and advise on how groups can apply for Community Investment Funding as we continue to explore the subject with the public.

“I am looking forward to meeting with people in the local community and listening to their views, and in the meantime, I encourage anyone who has questions or comments to get in touch.”