Sedgemoor District Council has this week written to organisations across Somerset who would have a role during the construction of a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point, urging them to make sure they are ready if the go-ahead is given by the government.
In a message to a number of key authorities and agencies, Chief Executive Kerry Rickards says Sedgemoor is busy making sure it is ‘Hinkley Ready’ so that there are no delays if the government gives the green light.
The letter comes after EDF Energy’s Chief Executive Officer, Vincent de Rivaz, announced his company’s project to build two new nuclear reactors is “shovel ready” and all it is waiting for is planning consent and an agreed price from the government for the energy it would produce before making a final investment decision.
It also follows an interview in The Times with Secretary of State, Ed Davey, indicating that the government is close to announcing long-term ‘community benefits’ to residents near new nuclear power plants.
Sedgemoor District Council Leader Cllr Duncan McGinty welcomed the news and said the money should be used for specific projects and not allowed to disappear into providing services.
Commenting on the need to prepare adequately for the Government’s decision on planning consent, which is due by March 19th, Cllr McGinty said: “This council has always supported the project providing the planning conditions are in place to ensure we make the most of the opportunities locally and keep the impacts of construction to a minimum.”
“MP Ian Liddell-Grainger is assuring the government that Somerset is ‘Hinkley Ready’ and the purpose of the letter is to satisfy ourselves that indeed we are all truly prepared.”
“We are keen that, if the go ahead is given, we can get on with it as soon as possible and ensure there are no delays or blockages preventing this vitally important project from being finished on time.”
