Somerset County Council has urged the Government to make a quick and positive decision on Hinkley Point C near Burnham-On-Sea after its move to delay the project until the autumn.
Cllr David Hall, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Business and Inward Investment, pictured right, has written to Prime Minister Theresa May offering to work with her team on its review of the project.
“This is a massive scheme that would bring the largest construction project in Europe to Somerset, so I can understand the new Prime Minister and her team wanting to make sure they have had every opportunity to give it their fullest scrutiny,” said Cllr Hall.
“I want to make it clear to the Prime Minister that the Hinkley project is very important to this county and we are here to help the Government come to its decision.”
The letter comes after the Government’s announcement that it would “consider the component parts” of the project and make a decision in the early autumn.
This followed the board of EDF Energy voting to make its long-awaited Final Investment Decision.
In the letter, Cllr Hall writes: “Hinkley Point C is of immense importance and would provide an enormous boost to the local, regional and indeed national economy.”
” The County Council is therefore keen to understand the process of further review and work with your Government in any way possible to help it make a positive decision at the earliest possible opportunity.”
“We mustn’t lose sight of the fact that EDF Energy’s Final Investment Decision is major step forward,” added Cllr Hall.
“The Somerset economy is extremely healthy, however the Hinkley Point C development is a one in a generation opportunity that would give an additional and enormous boost to confidence in our local, regional and national economy.”
