EDF has been granted permission for working hours to be extended on the major accommodation project being built for Hinkley C workers off Bath Road.

Sedgemoor District Council this week granted permission to work longer hours on Saturdays until late September in order to try and complete the project quicker.

Contractors were already permitted to work on Saturdays between 7am and 1pm this week EDF has been given the green light to extend those working hours on Saturdays until 4pm.

The change comes into effect from Saturday, May 12. Once complete the Sedgemoor Campus is expected to house 986 workers.

A spokesman for EDF said: "Work is currently underway at Sedgemoor Campus and the construction team would like to maximise their working hours in order to ensure delivery of the project on time and with minimal disruption."

EDF say the extension is needed to complete low level ground works including road preparation, top soil spreading and paving, but insist roadworks.

In the application it states: "These works would not take place adjacent to the residential properties during the weekend.

"The plant to be used mostly include excavators, dumpers, forklifts and rollers."

EDF says it believes the proposed works would not be generating noise levels that exceed the current construction works nor the background road noise levels.

The EDF spokesperson added: "The works will also speed up delivery, minimising disruption in the area.

"Regular community contact is now in place and the proposed extended working hours will be reported verbally to local residents and via regular written updates."