LLW Repository, Holmrook, Cumbria: Repository Development to Vault 11 Planning Statement RP/3400737/PROJ/00049 30th October 2015 LLW Repository Limited Low Level Waste Repository Site Holmrook Cumbria CA19 1XH United Kingdom Telephone: 019467 24800 Email: [email protected] © Copyright in this document belongs to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority This page is left blank intentionally. RP/3400737/PROJ/00049 LLW Repository Ltd: Repository Development to Vault 11 Contents 1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 5 1.1 The Applicant .......................................................................................... 5 1.2 The Application ....................................................................................... 5 1.3 Background ............................................................................................. 6 2 The Application Site and Surroundings ............................................................ 9 2.1 The Location ........................................................................................... 9 2.2 LLWR Site ............................................................................................... 9 3 Form and Content of Application .................................................................... 13 3.1 Pre-Application Advice .......................................................................... 14 4 Background to the Proposals ......................................................................... 17 4.1 Role of the NDA .................................................................................... 17 4.2 Development of UK Policy and Strategy for the Management and Disposal of LLW .................................................................................... 17 4.3 The Environmental Safety Case (ESC) ................................................. 22 5 The Proposed Development ........................................................................... 25 5.1 Vaults 9a - 11 ........................................................................................ 25 5.2 Secant pile wall ..................................................................................... 26 5.3 Cap Components .................................................................................. 26 5.4 Cap Construction and Profile ................................................................ 30 5.5 Cut-off Wall ........................................................................................... 31 5.6 Construction .......................................................................................... 31 5.7 Construction Sequence ......................................................................... 33 6 Planning Policy Context ................................................................................. 39 6.1 Planning Policy ..................................................................................... 39 6.2 Cumbria Minerals and Waste Development Framework ........................ 39 6.3 Weight to be given to the Development Plan ......................................... 43 6.4 National Planning Policy Framework ..................................................... 43 6.5 National Planning Practice Guidance .................................................... 45 6.6 Other Policy Documents ........................................................................ 45 6.7 Emerging Planning Policy ..................................................................... 47 6.8 Summary .............................................................................................. 47 7 Material Planning Considerations ................................................................... 49 8 The Principle of Development ........................................................................ 51 8.1 Conformity with National Policy for the Long-term Management of Solid Low Level Radioactive Waste in the UK ................................................ 51 8.2 Meeting UK Need .................................................................................. 51 8.3 Coastal Erosion and Sea Level Change ................................................ 55 8.4 Waste Miles .......................................................................................... 57 9 Environmental Impacts ................................................................................... 59 9.1 Environmental Statement ...................................................................... 59 9.2 Ecology and Nature Conservation ......................................................... 59 9.3 Landscape Character ............................................................................ 60 9.4 Visual Impact ........................................................................................ 61 Planning Statement Page 3 of 93 RP/3400737/PROJ/00049 LLW Repository Ltd: Repository Development to Vault 11 9.5 Residential Amenity .............................................................................. 61 9.6 Visual Amenity ...................................................................................... 62 9.7 Noise and Vibration ............................................................................... 62 9.8 Air Quality ............................................................................................. 63 9.9 Lighting ................................................................................................. 63 9.10 Traffic 64 9.11 Environmental Management Plan ......................................................... 64 9.12 Conclusion on Residential Amenity ....................................................... 65 10 Other Material Considerations ........................................................................ 67 10.1 National Planning Policy Framework ..................................................... 67 10.2 Economic Benefits ................................................................................ 67 11 Summary and Conclusion .............................................................................. 69 Appendix 1: Schedule of Application Drawings ........................................................ 71 Appendix 2: Pre-Application Advice Letter from CCC .............................................. 75 Appendix 3: Statement of Community Involvement ................................................. 77 Annex A: Copies of LLW Repository Ltd Newsletter ................................................ 91 Annex B: Consultation Schedule ............................................................................. 92 Annex C: Exhibition Boards ..................................................................................... 93 Annex D: Feedback Forms ...................................................................................... 94 Appendix 4: Waste Arisings Paper .......................................................................... 95 Planning Statement Page 4 of 93 RP/3400737/PROJ/00049 LLW Repository Ltd: Repository Development to Vault 11 1 Introduction 1. This Planning Statement accompanies a detailed planning application submitted in respect of further development at the Low Level Waste Repository (LLWR) near Drigg, West Cumbria. The application has been made to Cumbria County Council as the relevant Waste Planning Authority (WPA) for the area in which the site is located. 1.1 The Applicant 2. The application is submitted by LLW Repository Ltd, which is the Site Licence Company with responsibility for operating the LLWR facility on behalf of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA). LLW Repository Ltd is committed to operating the LLWR as an efficient and environmentally safe facility, providing a continuing safe option for the disposal of low level radioactive waste (LLW) in the UK. The site is operated in a manner that is consistent with good practice for the near-surface disposal of radioactive waste in accordance with applicable environmental safety and health and safety guidance. 1.2 The Application 1.2.1 Proposed Development 3. The application seeks full planning permission for: The phased construction of additional vaults (10 and 11 and an extension to Vault 9 (9a)); the disposal of low level radioactive wastes in the new vaults and in the existing Vault 9 including the higher stacking of waste containers in Vault 9; the permanent retention (disposal) of waste containers by means of higher stacking in the existing Vault 8; and the phased construction of a permanent capping layer over Trenches 1-7 and Vaults 8-11 and the site of potential Vaults 12-14; together with other ancillary works. 4. The proposals will involve the following works: • The construction in a phased manner of additional engineered vaults (Vaults 10 and 11) and an extension to Vault 9 (Vault 9a) within the land area to the south east of the existing Vault 9 for the disposal of LLW. • The stacking (for disposal) of up to 4 no. (or equivalent) LLW containers in Vault 9a, 8 no. LLW containers (or equivalent) in Vault 10 and 9 no. LLW containers (or equivalent) in Vault 11. • The permanent retention (disposal) of all LLW within the existing Vault 9. • Additional stacking (for disposal) of up to 8 no. (or equivalent) LLW containers within the area of Vault 9. • The permanent retention (disposal) of waste within the existing Vault 8 including the higher stacking of containers which is currently consented under a temporary planning permission