Public meeting held over South Holderness nuclear waste plans

The first public consultation has been held to discuss plans to dispose of nuclear waste in East Yorkshire.

Government agency Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) has identified South Holderness as a potential site.

Its chief executive Corhyn Parr said the Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) would only go ahead with the support of the community.

The drop-in event at Patrington village hall was the first of five scheduled to take place across the area in February.

Farmer Jono Dixon said he went because he was curious about the plans.

"From the point of view of employment, I think it could be a good thing, if it goes ahead, providing they do everything [by] the book," he said.

The GDF would see nuclear waste from across the UK buried in a series of vaults and tunnels deep underground, or under the sea.

Ms Parr has previously said if the community did "not express support for a GDF, it won't be built there".

Two similar working groups have already been established in Cumbria and one at Theddlethorpe on the Lincolnshire coast, an area where some residents have held protests.

Critics have raised concerns about the impact of such a scheme on the environment and tourism.

Helen Murphy, chairwoman of Patrington Parish Council, said the event was a chance to question experts.

"People are genuinely very worried, very scared, panicking, lots of speculation," she said.

"The two words 'nuclear waste'... send people into panic and I get that. But at the end of the day it's a lot safer than people realise."

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