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Government considers that it is essential that radioactive waste is stored safely and securely at all times pending its disposal, in line with HSE requirements on Nuclear Site Licensees and the recommendations of the independent Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM).
In response to CoRWM’s 2006 recommendations, the NDA is reviewing the adequacy of waste storage arrangements across its sites, focusing on the service life of facilities required to accommodate waste until a disposal facility is available. In a separate study NDA's contractors have been looking at possible opportunities to optimise intermediate level waste storage. The preliminary view is that there may be opportunities to consolidate storage at some NDA sites using facilities that are already in site baseline plans, as well as opportunities for minimising waste generation. There are currently no plans for new stores located off NDA sites. The outcomes of these studies will inform the review of the NDA’s Strategy, which it expects to begin during 2008. The NDA’s Strategy will be the subject of public consultation and subject to approval by Government.