THE Tees Valley Mayor has criticised a plan to dispose of radioactive materials in the North-East, several years after a similar plan was rejected in Cumbria.

Ben Houchen said Teesside could not become "Britain's nuclear dumping ground", following an application to dump hazardous materials at a landfill site.

The application by Augean North for a licence for the disposal of nuclear waste at the Port Clarence landfill site has been submitted to The Environment Agency.

The landfill site, between Stockton and Billingham, deals with non-hazardous and hazardous materials, including those recovered from North Sea oil and gas projects.

Augean has said previously the firm has "extensive" experience of safely handling low-level radioactive waste at its landfill site in Northamptonshire, and the current operation of the Port Clarence site as a "safe, secure, sustainable and well-regulated site for the disposal and treatment of hazardous wastes" means it is suitable for similar materials.

But Mr Houchen said granting the landfill site's radioactive waste license would be against the interests of those living in surrounding areas.

He said: "People from Port Clarence, Billingham and Middlesbrough, plus the surrounding areas have a right to sleep safe in their homes, free from the spectre of radioactive waste.

"If we don’t act now we could put our area on the map for the disposal of the most dangerous nuclear waste there is.

"Teesside cannot be allowed to become Britain’s nuclear dumping ground."

In January 2013, Cumbria County Council rejected plans for a £12bn underground nuclear waste disposal site after it spent four years assessing whether or not to approve the application.

The council rejected plans after evidence revealed the area was unsuitable to house hazardous waste.

Mr Houchen said he has written to the Nuclear Regulator asking for an urgent meeting, surrounding the application on Teesside.

He said: “We have big plans for the Tees Valley, plans to bring in new jobs and to create clean industries.

"This means we have to be a place that people can be proud of, not just local people with ties to the area, but people who will choose us above Leeds, London and Manchester.

"Nobody wants to live near a nuclear waste dump, which is why, on top of the immediate safety concerns, such plans could be devastating for our region’s future."

Mr Houchen, who claimed those living in the South of England "would not stand for" a nuclear disposal site, urged residents to express opinions.

He added: “People in London and the Home Counties would never stand for this, nor would anyone even expect them to, so nor should we.

"I am asking as many people as possible to let the Environment Agency and their local council know the devastating impact they could have on the future of the Tees Valley."

The consultation can be found at consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/north-east/port-clarence-landfill-permit-application/