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Waste firm gives safety assurance
The man behind plans for a waste site in King's Cliffe has said the radioactivity given off from the area in a year would be the same as a person having one X-ray.
Waste management firm Augean has applied to bury low-level radioactive waste at its waste site in the village, which is also used to get rid of other waste such as asbestos.
But residents say their health could be put in danger if radioactive materials are buried.
Gene Wilson, the company's technical director, said he would not have put the plans forward unless he was 100 per cent confident they were safe.
He said: "The effect of this proposal will be less than one per cent of the radiation in the natural background.
"Radiation is part of everyday life, it is in the ground, it comes from the sky and is in our bodies.
"We are not immune to the recession and this application will help us secure jobs."
He said the level of possible exposure to the public in radiation terms in a year would be the same as eating 500 grams of Brazil nuts, having one X-ray or going on two return flights to America.
It also claimed the site would be protected by an 18-metre clay divider and all rain water would be monitored to check it was not seeping radioactive waste into the ground
The materials being disposed of would be mainly contaminated materials from former power plants which could not be buried on that site for geographical reasons.
Augean has three landfill cells ready to be filled with waste which are expected to last another three years.
It also has provisions in place to ensure nothing seeps into the soil through rain water and lorries are to stick to major routes when bringing the waste to the site in case of any leakage.
All parish and neighbouring borough councils have been consulted, with their views being passed onto Northamptonshire County Council which will then make a decision.
A decision is expected in the new year.
For and against
For
Augean's technical director Gene Wilson argues the site will not be a threat to those living nearby as there will be thorough safety precautions in place.
He says the levels of possible radioactive exposure from the site are at an absolute minimum to cause any health risks.
He also says they are monitored by the Government, Health and Safety Executive and Environment Agency material buried at the site is tested.
Against
Residents in King's Cliffe have formed a waste watchers' group in a bid to to block the plans.
Members of the campaign group have argued there has not been enough research into the dangers.
About 300 people have been involved with a peaceful demonstration and more than 1,000 have signed a petition.
East Northamptonshire Council and Corby Council are opposed to the plans.
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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