Two nuclear power stations to be fast-tracked
10:58 22 Oct 2009
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The Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) has revealed two new nuclear power stations and five big wind farms and a biomass power plant will be considered for fast track planning.
The first projects it aims to consider are applications from French firm EDF for two new nuclear power stations at Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C
The IPC was set up earlier this month to look at planning applications for developments "of national importance" such as power stations and roads. Although councils will give evidence and there will be local consultation, the IPC will make the ultimate decision based on plans set out by the Government in National Policy Statements.
IPC chair Sir Michael Pitt said: “The IPC will ensure that the public knows which projects are proposed for their areas as soon as these are confirmed to us.
“The projects we are highlighting today raise important issues for the nation and for local communities and we want the public to have confidence that their views will be heard. In every case there will be an opportunity for an open floor hearing as part of the IPC examination process.”
The IPC will begin taking applications from 1 March 2010, and will continue to run as an advisory body in the meantime.
The list has been published as the CBI called for Britain to accelerate its plans for new nuclear stations.
Neil Bentley, the CBI director of business environment, said that Britain would need up to 12 new reactors by 2030 to avoid blackouts and meet its target of cutting carbon emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.
He said: “With most existing nuclear plants due to close within ten years, we urgently need new reactors to come on stream.”