Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024

16 Radioactive waste geological disposal facilities

(1) Development relating to a radioactive waste geological disposal facility within subsection (4) or (6) is a significant infrastructure project.

(2) A radioactive waste geological disposal facility means a facility which meets the conditions in subsection (3).

(3) The conditions are that—

(a) the main purpose of the facility is expected to be the final disposal of radioactive waste,

(b) the part of the facility where radioactive waste is to be disposed of is expected to be constructed at a depth of at least 200 metres beneath the surface of the ground or seabed, and

(c) the natural environment which surrounds the facility is expected to act, in combination with any engineered measures, to inhibit the transit of radionuclides from the part of the facility where radioactive waste is to be disposed of to the surface.

(4) Development is within this subsection if—

(a) it is the construction of one or more boreholes, and the carrying out of any associated excavation, construction or building work,

(b) the borehole or boreholes will be constructed, and any associated excavation, construction or building work will be carried out, in Wales or the Welsh marine area, and

(c) the conditions in subsection (5) are met in relation to each borehole.

(5) The conditions are that—

(a) the borehole is expected to be constructed to a depth of at least 150 metres beneath the surface of the ground or seabed, and

(b) the main purpose of constructing the borehole is to obtain information, data or samples to determine the suitability of a site for the construction or use of a radioactive waste geological disposal facility.

(6) Development is within this subsection if—

(a) it is the construction of a radioactive waste geological disposal facility, and

(b) the facility (when constructed) will be in Wales or the Welsh marine area.

(7) In this section—

• “disposal” (“gwaredu”) in relation to radioactive waste means emplacement in an appropriate facility without the intention to retrieve;

• “radioactive waste” (“gwastraff ymbelydrol”) has the same meaning as in the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/1154) (as amended from time to time) (see paragraph 3(1) of Part 2 of Schedule 23 to those regulations).