Sites for new nuclear power stations
The first of the long awaited National Policy Statements was published in draft on 9 November 2009 and provides the context for decision making by the Infrastructure Planning Commission on energy infrastructure and ports. The National policy statement is out for consultation until 22 February 2010. It comprises one overarching energy policy document and one for each of the following areas: fossil fuels, nuclear, renewable, transmission networks and oil and gas pipelines.
All National Policy Statements have to be subject to public consultation and Parliamentary scrutiny. The Secretary of State must have regard to the outcome of public consultation and Parliamentary scrutiny when deciding whether or not to proceed to designate the National Policy Statement. It is therefore vitally important for interested parties to ensure that they make their views known during the consultation period.
The Government has taken advantage of the ability to make National Policy Statements location specific by identifing ten sites which have been assessed as potentially suitable for new nuclear power stations. The approved nuclear sites, either existing nuclear power station locations, or at or close to the Sellafield nuclear complex, are:
- Bradwell
- Braystones
- Hartlepool
- Heysham
- Hinkley Point
- Kirksanton
- Oldbury
- Sellafield
- Sizewell
- Wylfa
Dungeness was nominated but has not been listed as ministers did not consider that potential environmental impacts at this site could be mitigated. The administration also had concerns about coastal erosion and associated flood risk at that nominated site.
Three other sites for new nuclear stations were considered to meet the requirements of alternative sites under the provisions of the Habitat Directive. These locations were Druridge Bay in Northumberland, Kingsnorth in Kent and Owston Ferry in South Yorkshire. None of these, though, proved suitable.
