Graham is backing Cllr Sean McMaster and Cllr Lyn Healing’s motion to East Riding of Yorkshire Council calling for immediate withdrawal from discussions with Nuclear Waste Services about a Geological Disposal Facility in south Holderness.
Graham had previously called for residents to have their say on the proposals and is happy to back the councillors in their decision to seek a vote to withdraw.
For its part, Nuclear Waste Services has always been clear that the local authority can withdraw from discussions at any point.
Graham has been clear that local people must be the ones to decide and, following discussions with Cllrs Healing and McMaster is supporting their efforts to stop the GDF.
Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart said: “South Holderness is a special place, and the news that the area was being considered as the site for the UK’s GDF shocked many in our community.
"It is the people of Holderness who should determine what happens in their area and they have made clear their opposition to these plans.
"Now our excellent South East Holderness councillors, Lyn Healing and Sean McMaster, have put a motion to the Council recommending that it withdraws our area from the process.
"They have my full support. Lyn and Sean work flat out on behalf of local people and listen to their views. Our community says ‘No’ and Lyn and Sean have my backing to seek our withdrawal."
Cllrs Lyn Healing and Sean McMaster said, “Nuclear Waste Services approached ERYC for permission to have a conversation with residents regarding a Geological Disposal Facility.
“Our Inward Investment Team agreed these conversations could take place.
“Cabinet or Ward Councillors did not vote on this. In fact we were unaware at the onset and no votes are required this early on in a conversation.
“As you’ll be aware NWS have held various drop in events throughout Holderness to have those conversations with residents and large number of residents did attend.
“Whilst we found the drop-ins helpful and informative and I believe others did too we came away with mixed feelings. Yes, investment in Holderness is badly required but is this the right investment, we now believe it isn’t.
“Holderness is a beautiful rural, agricultural area, farming has existed here for hundreds of years and hopefully will continue for hundreds more.
“Tourism is also prevalent to our area and we feel a project of this scale would most certainly have an adverse effect on both.
“Having said that, we have experienced an already creeping industrialisation of the area over the years. Wind Farms, the Biomass plant at Aldborough, Saltend and an extension at the Easington Terminal and now this.
“We have listened to our residents too and the majority do not want a GDF in Holderness and we support them in their opposition and that is why Ward Cllr Sean McMaster and myself will be submitting a motion to Full Council on 21st February requesting ERYC withdraw from these conversations.
“A vote from all Councillors will be needed for this to happen but we are confident we will have Councillors from all wards supporting us.”
