Beach owner sues over radioactive waste

A landowner has launched a lawsuit against the UK Atomic Energy Authority, claiming it has repeatedly contaminated his beach with radioactive particles.

Geoffrey Minter, who owns Sandside Bay near the nuclear installation at Dounreay in Caithness, said the action was a response to a fruitless five-year campaign against the authority. Mr Minter described his action, believed to be the first of its kind, as the only way to resolve the long-running dispute in the face of "spin, excuses and broken promises".

The authority said it would consider the issues raised by the petition before issuing a formal response.

The first radioactive particle was discovered on the beach in 1984. Seven years later Mr Minter bought Sandside House, an estate which includes beaches, a harbour and an 18-hole golf course.

Two further radioactive particles were found on Sandside Bay's main beach in 1997, and a further 17 since.