Published: October 19, 2010
New nuclear power stations move closer at Hinkley Point

Two new nuclear power stations will be built at Hinkley Point, energy secretary Chris Huhne has confirmed this week.

The minister has dropped plans for new reactors at three existing nuclear plants around Britain but given a 'green light' to the development of another eight nationwide.

Among them is Hinkley Point, near Burnham-On-Sea, and anti-nuclear campaigners have this week voiced their anger and pledged to step up their battle.

As reported by Burnham-On-Sea.com on Monday, Mr Huhne also rejected the proposed £30 billion Severn Barrage from Brean Down to Cardiff - although entrepreneur Gareth Woodham is still pressing ahead with his scheme.

Anti-nuclear group Stop Hinkley has said this week it is disappointed that the Severn tidal schemes had been abandoned.

Spokesman Crispin Aubrey warned there was no justification for giving the green light to Hinkley, as the safety issues had not gone away, including health, accidents, terrorism plus the risks of storing radioactive waste for 100 years.

But Gary Smith of the GMB union said: "These new nuclear power stations are absolutely essential and we need to get on with building them without further delay."