Almost 55,000 cubic metres of highly radioactive nuclear waste and nearly 300 tonnes of spent fuel are currently stored at 19 sites throughout Italy.

The new site will be located in the rural village of Scanzano Jonico, in the southern region of Basilicata, the cabinet said in a statement.

It will be able to store around 60,000 cubic metres of 2nd and 3rd category nuclear waste.

The Italian government has since January sought to consolidate its nuclear waste storage facilities in order to better protect against a possible terrorist attack.

"We know nothing of this decision but we know that we will not leave it," said Mario Altieri, mayor of Scanzano Jonico, which has 7,000 inhabitants.

"We have undergone thousands of years of invasions and domination, but it is clear this time that we will not submit passively to this injustice," Altieri warned.

Italy's Greens condemned the government for taking the decision without consulting local officials.

WAR.WIRE