Closing submissions on behalf of Greenpeace Limited

The closing submissions are presented on behalf of Greenpeace Ltd to a Planning Inquiry in 1995 hearing the application of UK Nirex Ltd for permission to construct an underground Rock Characterisation Facility (RCF) at a site near Sellafield. The RCF is part of an investigation by Nirex into a suitable site for the disposal of radioactive waste. Greenpeace conclude that the application should be refused on the following grounds: that it has not been demonstrated that the RCF will meet its stated purpose and that it is highly unlikely that it will ever sufficiently characterise the site for a Detailed Safety Assessment to be made; in the unlikely event that the RCF should achieve its purpose there can be no confidence that the approach of Nirex so far will lead to the greatest measure of radiological safety to the public; in the light of Nirex's failure so far to produce any reliable assessments of its investigation programme, it is not possible to determine what benefits, if any, could be gained from results from the RCF; alternative sites exist which appear to offer significantly better safety levels. (UK)