Radioactive waste store discussed

The British Geological Survey would be asked to screen areas for suitability

The concept of storing radioactive waste underground in Cornwall is to be considered again by county councillors in Cornwall.

The idea was previously rejected by two committees who claimed the county was "totally unsuitable".

But some councillors disagree and the issue is to be considered by another committee later this month.

It follows a request from the government for councils to register an "expression of interest".

Mine workings

Under the Government's White paper on managing radioactive waste safely, local councils would be offered the chance to host a geological disposal facility for radioactive waste at some point in the future.

Members of the county council's executive committee and environment policy development and scrutiny committee previously refused to express an interest because any potentially suitable geological areas could be riddled with old and unrecorded mine workings.

But members of the resource and performance policy development and scrutiny committee will debate the issue again on the 19 January.

Under Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs guidelines, even if an expression of interest was registered, the British Geological Survey would be asked to apply sub-surface screening criteria in order to eliminate any area that was unsuitable.