DECC Press Release About Their Consultation in Thornbury

February 2010 - Press Release - New nuclear for the south west


Only 3 weeks left to have your say on nuclear sites

Residents of Oldbury are this weekend being asked to have their say on whether Oldbury in South Gloucestershire, should be a potential site for a new nuclear power station. It has been listed by Government in its draft Nuclear National Policy Statement published on 9 November 2009.

Following Copenhagen the UK is committed to lead by example and encourage more energy sources that don’t harm the planet, but also boost Britain’s own energy security.

Residents of South Gloucestershire will have their chance to find out more about the consultation and how the site has been assessed at the exhibitions on Thursday, 4th, Friday 5th and Saturday 6th February held at:

Turnberrie's Community Centre
Bath Road
Thornbury
Bristol
BS35 2BB

People can also take part in a public discussion meeting, which will be held on Saturday 6th February at:

The Severnside Complex
Thornbury Leisure Centre
Alveston Hill
Thornbury
S. Glos
BS35 3JB

Energy and climate change minister, Lord Hunt said:

“Hosting a nuclear power station would mean that Oldbury would continue to play a big part in helping the UK transform its energy sector, replacing old infrastructure with high tech, low carbon energy sources. It’s essential that local people get involved and make sure their voices are heard.

"Nuclear power provides reliable, cost-effective and low carbon energy and will play a vital role, alongside renewable and clean coal in a secure energy mix for the UK.

“A new power station could provide as many as 9,000 jobs in the area during construction.”

The announcement on new nuclear sites was made as part of a planning overhaul for big energy projects and ten potential new sites for nuclear energy were named in the draft Nuclear National Policy Statement. These sites are Bradwell, Braystones, Hartlepool, Heysham, Hinkley Point, Kirksanton, Oldbury, Sellafield, Sizewell and Wylfa. The land at Oldbury was acquired by Horizon (RWE and EON joint venture) from NDA in May 2008.

Following the publication of the draft Nuclear NPS and the list of potential sites the Department of Energy and Climate Change is conducting a 15 week consultation to hear people’s views about the proposals.

The new Infrastructure Planning Commission will use the Nuclear National Policy Statement when considering planning applications for new nuclear power stations. This consultation is an opportunity for local people to influence what the IPC should take into account when considering whether to grant consent or not.





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Notes for Editors

1.The Energy National Policy Statements will be subject to an extensive 15 week consultation between the 9th November and the 22nd February with the opportunity for the public to influence and comment on the draft NPSs at a national and local level.

Parliamentary scrutiny will follow the conclusion of this consultation.



2.The Infrastructure Planning Commission is an independent body which makes decisions on applications for nationally significant infrastructure projects. These are the large scale facilities that support the economy and vital public services. This includes railways, large wind farms, power stations, reservoirs, harbours, airports and sewage treatment works.

Please visit http://infrastructure.independent.gov.uk/[external Link]



3.The IPC will use the NPS when considering planning applications for new nuclear power stations. This consultation is an opportunity for local people to influence what the IPC should take into account when considering whether to grant consent or not.

4.For more information on the draft energy NPSs and its associated consultation programme please visit: www.energynpsconsultation.decc.gov.uk

5.Please find a map of potential sites for new nuclear here: http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/pn130/pn130.aspx

6.The Public Discussions takes place at the The Severnside Complex, Thornbury Leisure Centre in Thornbury on Saturday 6th February. To register to attend the public discussion visit the website www.nuclear-nps-events.info[external Link] or ring 0845 0048841 0845 0048841.

7.The Department of Energy and Climate Change is central to the UK Government’s leadership on climate change. We are pushing hard for an ambitious global deal in Copenhagen in December to avert the most dangerous impacts. Through our UK Low Carbon Transition Plan we are giving householders and businesses the incentives and advice they need to cut their emissions, we are enabling the energy sector’s shift to the trinity of renewables, new nuclear and clean coal, and we are stepping up the fight against fuel poverty.