EDF Energy’s proposals for the development of Hinkley Point C new nuclear power station are now available for public consultation.

For 12 weeks, local residents and organisations can respond to EDF’s plans to build twin EPR reactors next to the existing Hinkley Point power station.

EDF claims the new power station will give the South West economy a £500m-plus boost and employ up to 5,000 people during its construction, with 900 permanent jobs up for grabs once the station becomes operational.

The consultation is believed to be the most extensive and wide-ranging ever carried out in the UK for a nuclear power station.

EDF’s director of planning and external affairs for nuclear new build Richard Mayson said: “I am determined that we will do our best to be a good neighbour. We will work with the community to minimise the impacts of the development and to ensure that our potential multi-billion pound investment delivers real opportunities for local people and businesses, as well as providing the nation with affordable low carbon electricity for five million homes.

“The views of local residents and businesses are important to us and a key element in the consultation process. The response and feedback we received through the first stage of our consultations has been very helpful in shaping our preferred proposals. Our plans have moved on and are now more detailed so I do hope people will take part again and share their views with us.

“We want to engage with as many people as possible in our plans for clean, affordable and secure nuclear power. Our Stage 2 consultation will use state of the art technology to help everyone understand and visualise our proposals as easily as possible.”

More information can be found at: www.edfconsultation.info