In the NDA’s 2016 Strategy we made a commitment to develop a single radioactive waste strategy for the NDA Group.

We are now seeking views on this single radioactive waste strategy that will apply to all radioactive waste generated within the NDA Group, including materials that may become waste at some point in the future.

The radioactive waste strategy provides:

• a framework for making decisions flexibly, to ensure safe, environmentally acceptable and cost-effective solutions that reflect the nature of the radioactive waste concerned
• a consolidated position and greater clarity of our strategic needs in this area
• promotes cross-category waste management opportunities
• support a risk-based approach to waste management
• an integrated programme for a suitable and timely waste management infrastructure to support the NDA mission

The development of the NDA’s Radioactive Waste Strategy and the integrated approach to waste management it supports is an important input into the government’s Industrial Strategy – Nuclear Sector Deal.

This deal calls for a National Decommissioning and Waste Management Pipeline to give a truly comprehensive view of all major decommissioning and waste management activity across the country. This should promote economic growth through enhanced awareness in the supply chain of opportunities, provide greater resilience in the UK infrastructure and opportunities for inward investment and growth.

The strategy articulates our preferences against each of the waste management lifecycle stages:

• planning and preparation
• treatment and packaging
• storage
• disposal

Andrew Sells today (Friday 26 July) welcomed efforts by the shooting community to safeguard and conserve hundreds of hectares of land for wildlife, when he spoke at the Game Fair. The Chair of Natural England said despite this work “more needs to be done to ensure there is a balance between shooting and conservation.”

He said:

Sustainably-managed shoots are safeguarding wildlife like curlews and lapwings, reducing flood risk and storing carbon.

Natural England will sign a second agreement with the British Association for Shooting and Conservation this weekend placing sustainable land management at the heart of BASC’s mission and recognising that 70 per cent of land managed by those affiliated to the shooting organisation are Special Sites of Scientific Interest (SSSI).

However, he sounded a note of caution arguing that not all shoots are doing enough to protect the environment from damage.

He said:

Too many shoots seem to have lost sight of the balance between shooting and conservation and the natural environment. Has the size of the day’s bag become the dominant consideration? Are some shoots damaging, rather than enhancing, our natural environment? If so, I hope we can work together to eliminate any such practices.

And the recent terrible wildfires near Manchester have shown moorland managers and keepers bravely joining forces with firefighters to limit environmental damage. I applaud their tireless efforts.

We are also seeing more estates coming into partnership agreements with NE, voluntarily finding ways to enhance environment. These deepening relationships will be vital in joining up prime wildlife sites and achieving goals of 25 Year Environment Plan.

The Environment Agency publish permits that they issue under the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED).

This decision includes the permit decision document:

• Operator name: Timet UK Limited
• Installation name: Timet UK Limited
• Permit number: EPR/BM5020IC/V004

The Environment Agency publish permits that they issue under the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED).

This decision includes the notice of variation and decision document for:

• Operator name: Daniel Blenkiron trading as Blenkiron Farming Company
• Installation name: Lark Hall Farm
• Permit number: EPR/CP3937CD/V003