I have forced Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) to come clean on their plans to expand the site search for their nuclear waste dump from the former gas terminal to the wards of Withern & Theddlethorpe and Mablethorpe. Constituents from the area will feel betrayed by this move from NWS. Until this point, our collective understanding has been that NWS was looking only at the former gas terminal as the site for the infrastructure, not the agricultural land surrounding it or the tourist destination of Mablethorpe next to it. This widening of scope is deeply worrying, and I oppose it strongly.
Last week, I demanded an emergency meeting with NWS as I had heard rumours about their intentions. When they confirmed to me that they were looking beyond the gas terminal site, I said that I would not keep this secret for them and that I would tell my constituents within the next few days if they did not. Today, they have slipped out a statement on the gov.uk website confirming their intentions.
I have always made clear that I oppose the dump and am deeply concerned about the effect it is already having on the local community. In recent months, I have written to households in Theddlethorpe with a survey asking for their views on when they would like to hold a referendum, as a 'test of public support’. Should the public vote against the proposals then the current policy is that the project will be stopped.
My survey results show overwhelming support for a referendum in the next 12 months. In the last few days, I have held meetings with the Leaders of the District and County Councils to discuss these results, NWS’ intentions and the councils’ roles on the Community Partnership which will decide when the referendum should be held.
I alongside many of my constituents oppose this nuclear waste dump in our area. I urge the Community Partnership to hold a referendum in the next 12 months so that residents can have their say and take control of our areas future.
