Environment minister David Maclean has delayed British Nuclear Fuel's (BNF) commissioning of the L1.8 billion Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant (Thorp) at Sellafield until a L50 million treatment plant is set up to neutralise emissions of Krypton 85, a radioactive gas.

Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth have warned local residents will be at risk because of large increases in radioactive discharges. BNF is fighting charges that emissions from the existing Sellafield plant has caused cancer in children in neighbouring areas. BNF contends exposure to Krypton 85 would be no worse than drinking a cup of mineral water each day of the year.