Report reveals supporters' fears over Hinkley

11:30am Tuesday 8th May 2012 in Bridgwater Area News

Hinkley Point Hinkley Point

A NEW nuclear power station at Hinkley Point could lead to increased traffic and hit tourism in the area, according to a report released by supporters of the plans.

The Local Impact Report says the development's economic benefits could ‘leak out of the county’ and result in limited job opportunities for residents.

The concerns were raised jointly by the Somerset County Council, Sedgemoor District Council and West Somerset Council, who say they support the plans in principle but feel more needs to be done to mitigate the negative affects.

Cllr David Hall, Somerset County Council's cabinet member for economic development, said: “The county council supports this development in principle and we welcome the economic opportunities it could bring to Somerset.

“That said we still have some significant concerns, in particular relating to the proposed transport mitigation. We are working hard to make sure these are resolved fairly and appropriately.”

The report, which has been submitted to the examining authority at the planning inspectorate, raises a number of concerns – including the effect it would have on the housing market, to a possible increased risk of accidents because of more HGVs on the roads.

Cllr Tim Taylor, West Somerset Council leader, said: “It is clear from this document that we have listened to what local residents and businesses in our communities have been telling us about this project.”

The report, which is part of the legal examination process, welcomes potential economic development in the area and argues the plans could benefit communities in the long-term with regard to education, employment and skills.

An EDF Energy spokesman said: “Hinkley Point C is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the people of Somerset.

“It will deliver jobs, investment, contracts and new training opportunities.

“Considerable effort has gone into mitigating the impact of our proposals, following extensive consultation.

“This is reflected in our detailed application, which is being examined by the Planning Inspectorate.

“The councils’ Local Impact Report has not yet been published, but we remain confident about the merits of our application and that the Planning Inspectorate will take all relevant factors into account.”

THE report will be on the Planning Inspectorate website soon at http:// infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk

Comments(7)

ronaldh says...
1:40pm Tue 8 May 12

It seems that after almost 4 years of EDF the County is waking up.
"Could lead to increase traffic" EDF have declared that up to 2700 per day of their vehicles will be added to the current vehicle movements. We in Cannington raised the question of congested roads, accident increases, lack of schools, over crowded Health Centres at stage 1 consultations!
"Hit tourism" EDF informed Cannington that they intend to use B & B's Caravan Sites and local rented rooms for their workers.
"Mitigation" seems to be the word to describe the limited work that EDF are willing to do in order to maximise their profit.

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Alex@SDA says...
2:41pm Tue 8 May 12

At last, where have these bureaucrats been? Eleventh hour or what!

We have already had a taster of what can happen thanks to all the Lorries we had though Jan Feb & March to remove a mound that is relatively small in comparison to the build. Even that small exercise they underestimated.

Tourism will be hit from two fronts, one being congestion of traffic, the other congestion of workers filling vacancies.

Accommodation etc may well be filled out of season, but the bean counters will look at it and suggest that as they have managed to operate the bookings with guaranteed beds being filled, no need to advertise or maintain 100% satisfaction criteria, so the rate can be adjusted.

Also paying guests may not be happy sharing breakfast facilities with hairy a**ed construction workers.

Tourism will be immeasurably damaged.

EdF may well say “It is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the people of Somerset” What they conveniently neglect to say is there will be only one shot & getting it right, and any effects of mishandling will prevail for at least 3 generations.

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TJB says...
3:00pm Tue 8 May 12

Wake up Britain. What are our politicians playing at. All this bleating about an economic crisis and creating jobs. Where do they think all the profits from this project will end up? Who will the jobs be created for? Immigrants, as they have already said we do not have the expertise in our own Country & we will need to relax immigration laws to allow the correct workers into Britain. End result, more claimants on the welfare state!

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grisleyreg says...
3:51pm Tue 8 May 12

The 3 councils have taken so much money from EDF they were always going to welcome them, However it would appear what people have said all the way thorough has finally got through, Just shows the speed of local authorities.
Still perhaps better late than never.

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somertel says...
5:07pm Tue 8 May 12

The cost of building the two reactors has recently risen by an eye-watering 40% to £14bn, and is set to rise further. This is by EDF's own admission. The scheme is already two years behind schedule. EDF still hasn't finished its Flamanville plant, which is 4 years behind schedule. These massive costs and long delays are likely to cause Centrica, EDF's partner in Hinkley Point C, to pull out, leaving EDF to stagger on alone.
This is bad enough for EDF but with a new socialist President in France things could hardly look worse. Industry analysts expect M Hollande to force the French state-backed EDF to abandon its UK adventure and divert its scarce resources into the domestic market.
We've already seen the Germans pull out of the UK new nuclear market; it now seems the French are likely to follow suit. The thing is, our political representatives were warned of the nonsensical economics of nuclear and yet they chose to ignore those warnings. Permitting the preliminary works at Hinkley was, at best, negligence; when EDF disappears in a puff of (worthless) Euros, who is going to clear up the mess?

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Agenda21=Fascism says...
10:26pm Thu 10 May 12

"Who's going to clear up the mess?"

Can I take a guess somertel?

I think the media will pretty much ignore it and everyone will forget there ever was a mess to deal with; rather like Fukushima.

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Bridgy old Boy says...
11:09pm Thu 10 May 12

Could we actually be reaching a situation where the perceived benefits are actually being outweighed by the dis benefits? I am really scratching my head trying to work out what good this development is going to bring to Bridgy and the surrounding villages.

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