Views sought over nuclear reactor sites

People will be given an early say on the country’s proposed nuclear reactor sites, three of them in Copeland.

The Government has issued its list of 11 nominated sites for new power stations and as expected locations at Braystones, Kirksanton and land around Sellafield are included. But it stressed these are only nominations and until May 14 the public can comment on information supplied against government criteria used in assessing locations.

German power company RWEnpower has nominated the Braystones and Kirksanton sites. Its nuclear development manager Stuart Dagnall said yesterday: “We welcome the support we’ve found in Cumbria and the recognition of the major economic boost a new power station could bring to the area. Equally we are very aware that some people have real concerns and questions. We’d like to reassure everyone with an interest in this project that we are at a very early stage in the process of evaluating sites and we are committed to consulting with local people throughout.”

RWE confirmed it had secured both farmland sites on the coast at Braystones and Kirksanton as well as already receiving a grid connection offer for the Braystones location, allowing enough capacity to supply five million homes.

Meetings at Braystones and Kirksanton demonstrated local opposition to RWE’s proposals but there was general support for the NDA’s nominated 400 acres of land around Sellafield.

The Government’s final list of potential reactor sites is not expected until spring next year following parliamentary scrutiny based on public responses.

Mr Dagnall added: “There will be several opportunities for the public to comment throughout the rest of this year.”

Details of the sites and how to comment can be found on www. nuclearpowersiting.decc.gov.uk or from libraries.

Source Whitehaven News 16 April 2009