The news that the Government has given the go-ahead to a new £14bn nuclear power plant at Hinkley Point, near Burnham-On-Sea, has this week been welcomed by local authorities.
The Government’s announcement on Tuesday removes the last planning obstacle to Hinkley Point C and it is now down to EDF and the Government to agree a price for the energy which will be produced, and for EDF to then decide whether to go ahead.
Cllr Duncan McGinty, Leader of Sedgemoor District Council, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “This is a landmark decision and an important step towards the delivery of the next generation of nuclear power stations. The local communities around Hinkley Point recognise the urgent national need for new energy infrastructure and their role as pioneers in the new low carbon economy.
“The decision heralds significant opportunities as well as challenges over the coming decade and we are ready to work hard to see that the full benefits are felt locally and to try to keep disruption of daily lives to a minimum. We will be working very closely with the community and EDF Energy to help deliver this nationally important project.”
“However, we now ask that the Government turns its attention to the needs of these communities in Sedgemoor and West Somerset. It must ensure that they receive fair, reasonable, and proportionate benefits in recognition of the burden of hosting a power station which will deliver great benefits to the nation but whose significant impact is felt locally.”
The Government’s green light for two new nuclear reactors at Hinkley Point was also welcomed by Somerset County Council.
Cllr David Hall, Somerset County Council’s Deputy Leader, said: “The Hinkley Point C project will unlock tremendous opportunities for Somerset, including thousands of new jobs, supply chain investment and a large number of apprenticeships for our young people. The proposals have a come a long way, and we are ready and waiting for the ‘go’ so we can help make the project a reality and reap the rewards for the county.”
