Readers of Newsquest Cumbria titles have had their say on the potential of a GDF facility in Allerdale.

The public weighed in on the nuclear disposal facility plans after it was revealed that a working group had formed to discuss a home for it in Allerdale.

Chaired independently by Jocelyn Manners-Armstrong, the Allerdale Working Group will discuss the viability of Allerdale as a location for the facility.

It includes Allerdale Borough Council, Radioactive Waste Management and GenR8 North Limited – a private company.

A geological disposal facility would put higher-activity nuclear waste hundreds of meters underground.

Many involved in the plans are excited to see that a second west Cumbrian working group had been established.

Radioactive Waste Management (RWM) chief executive, Karen Wheeler, said: “I’m delighted to see the formation of the GDF Working Group in Allerdale which will start to engage local residents, businesses, and other organisations about the possibility of hosting a GDF.”

Mark Walker, Director of GenR8 North Ltd added that “the National Park must be excluded. We don’t have a specific site in mind, but as the UK is going to build a GDF, we believe West Cumbria should get the opportunity to host it.”

However, it is not positive news to everyone, many of our readers were concerned or sceptical about the plans to house a GDF facility in Allerdale.

An anonymous commenter said: “We didn’t want it last time and nothing's changed, we don’t want it.”

John Benson said: “The geology wasn’t right in the 1980s for this idea, so unlikely to be so now, unless a lot of improved engineering standards are applied. Is the Alcan site earmarked for this regarding the access shafts into the ground, a site with good road links, or is the new coal mine being developed for a dual purpose? Coal out/waste in?”

Tony Smith said: “I’ll say it again, it will not happen.”

Five readers liked the post, showing support for the plans. Seven were shocked to hear the news.