West Somerset Council is calling for a fairer deal for local people and actions to ensure long-term economic prosperity, in its initial response submitted to the Infrastructure Planning Committee (IPC) today (January 23) on EDF Energy’s proposed development at Hinkley Point C.
Cllr Tim Taylor, Leader of West Somerset Council, said: “While EDF Energy has come some way in its negotiations with us, there are still areas that can and should be improved. After all, if the development goes ahead, our communities will bear the brunt of nearly a decade of disruption during the build and will host nuclear waste for generations afterwards, so they deserve long-term mitigation measures.
“This is not about supporting local services in times of budget cuts. It is about making sure that there is adequate mitigation and compensation for affected communities, that local people can buy and rent homes at affordable prices, and that there is not a boom and bust scenario surrounding the build.
“We also want action to ensure visitors and local commuters can get to their destinations with as few problems as possible, and tourism suffers no long term damage, as that is what our economy depends on now and in the foreseeable future.”
The council has long held concerns over certain aspects of the development, which it has shared fully with EDF Energy. However, it remains unconvinced that enough has been done to address them.
In its response, the council points out that it has always expressed legitimate objections about the impact on the local housing market, especially the effect on those most vulnerable to price rises, such as people currently housed in the private rented sector. EDF’s application material does little to address the anxieties. In an area where housing is in short supply and prices are at a premium, the council will continue to work hard to make sure that impact on this vital issue is minimised.
The council also supports its partner authorities regarding their calls for all necessary steps to be taken to lessen the impact on the transport network. Local people, businesses and visitors should expect to go about their daily lives without delays caused by the construction project – where improvements are needed they should be made.
Cllr Taylor added: “We acknowledge that the project has the opportunity to bring significant benefits to local people, but only if people are suitably trained and conditions are right for local businesses to be engaged with the development.
“Some good work has been started. However, if local people aren’t employed the impacts of workers moving into the area will be greater – we want to work with EDF Energy to create a win-win scenario not a lose-lose legacy.
“Tourism is the backbone of West Somerset’s economy. Even if the development has a positive effect on the local economy, it is absolutely essential that there is no adverse effect on the marketplace, be that from people not able to find accommodation in the summer months to day visitors turning away because of the traffic congestion.
“Closest to our hearts is the protection of the community who live next to the site. We must find ways to safeguard them from the effects of noise, light, dust and transport movements over such long working hours, and the added impact of an unnecessarily large on-site campus adjacent to such a tiny community.
“We remain committed to working with partners and EDF Energy to get the best possible outcome for local people and to ensure long-term economic benefits for the whole area. We look forward to the independent scrutiny and evaluation to be undertaken by the IPC Commissioners and will respond as and when needed.”