DISTRICT councillors are set to take part in the examination of the Hinkley Point C site after members voted to register as an interested party.

EDF Energy's application to build two new nuclear reactors has been accepted by the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) for examination.

Now interested parties, which include private individuals, local authorities and other organisations, have until January 23 to register an interest in order to be able to take part in the process.

Director of regeneration Doug Bamsey said it was important to remember Sedgemoor District Council was not the determining authority for the application but would play a role in shaping the development.

He said: “In reports of this council's efforts to ensure the impacts of the project are adequately addressed we are sometimes seen as being against it and sometimes as being for it, but actually our aim is to shape it so as to achieve the best possible outcome for the community and we will continue to work towards that end.”

But Cllr David Baker said he did not believe any more tax payers' money should be spent on the council taking part in the examination process. He has criticised the plans over the lack of a Bridgwater bypass and permanent housing.

A meeting will be held next month to look at how the proposals would cope with traffic generated by the development.