RADIOACTIVE waste from nuclear power stations would be buried in a network of tunnels deep beneath the sea bed, under a plan being considered by the government.

The tunnels would connect the mainland to underground storage facilities.

Radioactive waste specialists Nirex claim the plan is feasible and points to similar schemes being used in Sweden and Finland. Both countries used repositories under the seabed close to their coasts. Japan is also considering the option.

In its submission to the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CORWM), the expert group set up by the government to identify the best way to dispose of long-term nuclear waste, Nirex claims that an “engineered repository” is “a viable option” that would be acceptable under international law.

Nirex has also advised the government to offer sweeteners, such as new schools and swimming pools, to communities affected by the new dumps.

Gordon MacKerron, chair of the CORWM, said an undersea repository would be acceptable provided it was accessible from the land. “It is not impossible that it might go somewhere under the sea in the same way as coal mines of the north-east of England start from land but actually end up somewhere under the North Sea,” he said.

The plan, which has angered environmentalists, could pave the way for a new generation of nuclear plants, which have been put on hold until a long-term repository for existing radioactive waste is found.

The prime minister has signalled that he is keen to press ahead with new nuclear power stations as part of Britain’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with Kyoto targets.

Jack McConnell, the first minister, has been less bullish about the idea of new nuclear plants in Scotland, but could be won round provided the waste issue can be resolved.

However, his Liberal Democrat coalition partners are opposed to any new nuclear power stations. Nicol Stephen, the Scottish Lib Dem leader and deputy first minister, used his speech at yesterday’s party conference in Glenrothes to reiterate his opposition to new nuclear plants.

Anti-nuclear campaigners want waste from existing atomic power stations to be stored above ground so that it can be retrieved easily.

Greenpeace claims that dumping under the sea could lead to hazardous material leaking into the environment. “If that happens under the sea then it is going to get access into the wider environment more quickly than if you have it in rock under land,” said Jean McSorley, a Greenpeace spokesman.

Britain’s high-level nuclear waste is currently stored in facilities at Sellafield in Cumbria and lower level waste is held at sites across the country, including Dounreay in Caithness.

Dounreay and Altnabreac in Caithness and the uninhabited west-coast islands of Sandray and Fuday were among sites earmarked as potential deep repositories for radioactive waste.

Meanwhile, a row has broken out between McConnell’s environmental advisers and anti- nuclear campaigners over plans to inject radioactive waste from oil production back into oil fields in the North Sea.

The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency says the option must be explored because of restrictions at a repository in Cumbria.

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