UK’s nuclear power plans for Hinkley Point are ‘stumbling’

Hinkley Point plan hit by fresh criticism as police anticipate protest action http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/Hinkley-Point-plan-hit-fresh-criticism-police/story-16337609-detail/story.html, June 11, 2012 Western Daily Press Plans to build Britain’s first nuclear power station for 20 years in the West Country have been hit by a barrage of new criticism.

Police have warned that the massive construction project will become the focus of major protests and attract a small army of transient and foreign workers. Anti-nuclear campaigners say plans by EDF Energy to construct two reactors at Hinkley Point C in Somerset are “stumbling”, with 30 major issues still unresolved.

In a submission to the National Infrastructure Directorate – the body
with the power to approve the plans – Avon and Somerset constabulary
says the French company has not offered enough money to pay for
officers who will be diverted to police demonstrations and fight a
wave of crime and disorder.

The force has claimed that EDF’s findings on the socio-economic impact
of the plant are “understated” and “outdated”. Spokesman Andrew Beard,
a director at Bristol planning consultants CSJ, said an influx of
predominantly male workers, including foreign nationals, is likely to
boost crime and increase tension in the community. Mr Beard said the
force was “dissatisfied” with the mitigation being proposed and
claimed the issue was necessary for the application to proceed.

He wrote: “In relation to community safety, crime and disorder,
traffic incidents and workforce, the main issue is agreeing the
appropriate level of resources, as the principles appear to have been
agreed with EDF. In relation to protests and communications, there
appears to be no agreement in principle and Avon and Somerset Police
will request that these aspects be fully addressed by the Development
Consent Order and that appropriate mitigation in relation to protest
and communication is secured in order for the development to proceed.”

The comments are the latest step in a lengthy consultation process,
which last month saw the three local authorities affected by the
proposed plant deliver their verdict.

Somerset County Council, Sedgemoor District Council and West Somerset
Council submitted a joint Local Impact Report to the Planning
Inspectorate which said efforts by EDF to protect the surrounding
communities have been “insufficient”.

That came after serious doubts were raised over the project when
British company and joint partner Centrica threatened to pull out of
the deal amid concerns over the Government’s energy policy.

Meanwhile, opponents of the project say a report by a nuclear expert
predicts the timescale is now slipping and is set to miss a target
date for planning consent.

The Stop Hinkley group says a report by nuclear engineering consultant
John Large shows the proposed new French reactor design will not be
completed until at least the spring of 2013, well after the date EDF
is hoping to get planning consent.

They say only one out of 31 issues has been resolved and have urged
that no construction takes place until the reactor design has been
fully tested and final approval given.