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Study reveals prime nuclear sites | Study reveals prime nuclear sites |
(4 days later) | |
Hinkley Point, in Somerset, is the best place to build a new nuclear power station, according to a confidential report commissioned by ministers. | Hinkley Point, in Somerset, is the best place to build a new nuclear power station, according to a confidential report commissioned by ministers. |
It lists 14 suitable sites around the UK but says existing nuclear plants in Southern England are the best choice. | It lists 14 suitable sites around the UK but says existing nuclear plants in Southern England are the best choice. |
It also reveals the first UK nuclear reactor was sited at Harwell, in Oxfordshire, in the late 1940s, because it was "a pleasant place to live". | It also reveals the first UK nuclear reactor was sited at Harwell, in Oxfordshire, in the late 1940s, because it was "a pleasant place to live". |
The government stressed the report was a "discussion paper only". | The government stressed the report was a "discussion paper only". |
Independent consultants drew up a list of the most suitable sites for new nuclear plants, based on the criteria that existing nuclear power stations were the most suitable for development. | Independent consultants drew up a list of the most suitable sites for new nuclear plants, based on the criteria that existing nuclear power stations were the most suitable for development. |
The report sets out the "major business, economic, safety, environmental and technical factors that could influence the selection of a site". | The report sets out the "major business, economic, safety, environmental and technical factors that could influence the selection of a site". |
'Feasibility' | 'Feasibility' |
It says there would be "little point" in the government considering nuclear power if no suitable sites were to become available. | It says there would be "little point" in the government considering nuclear power if no suitable sites were to become available. |
SUGGESTED NUCLEAR SITES 1. Hinkley Point2. Sizewell3. Bradwell4. Dungeness5. Hunterston6. Hartlepool7. Torness8. Wylfa9. Heysham10. Calder Hall11. Oldbury12. Chapelcross13. Berkeley14. Trawsfynydd | SUGGESTED NUCLEAR SITES 1. Hinkley Point2. Sizewell3. Bradwell4. Dungeness5. Hunterston6. Hartlepool7. Torness8. Wylfa9. Heysham10. Calder Hall11. Oldbury12. Chapelcross13. Berkeley14. Trawsfynydd |
Source: Jackson Consulting report, April 2006 | Source: Jackson Consulting report, April 2006 |
"The availability of potential sites will therefore directly affect the government's view of the overall feasibility of a new nuclear build programme," the report adds. | "The availability of potential sites will therefore directly affect the government's view of the overall feasibility of a new nuclear build programme," the report adds. |
Hinkley Point was deemed the most suitable, with only planning consent for an additional power line and possible conflict with a nearby wind farm standing in the way of development. | Hinkley Point was deemed the most suitable, with only planning consent for an additional power line and possible conflict with a nearby wind farm standing in the way of development. |
It was also available for new development "now," the document says. | It was also available for new development "now," the document says. |
Global warming | Global warming |
Sizewell, in Suffolk, is seen as the next most suitable, only needing planning permission for power lines and "investigation of grid stability". | Sizewell, in Suffolk, is seen as the next most suitable, only needing planning permission for power lines and "investigation of grid stability". |
Areas offering 'key opportunities for nuclear development in UK'Enlarge Map | |
The least suitable of the 14 listed was Trawsfynydd, in Wales, which uses a large man-made reservoir to cool its reactor. | The least suitable of the 14 listed was Trawsfynydd, in Wales, which uses a large man-made reservoir to cool its reactor. |
But its inland location may prove attractive if the government decides global warming is a major factor in the siting decision - it has said rising sea levels could make coastal sites unsuitable over the 100-year lifespan of a nuclear plant. | But its inland location may prove attractive if the government decides global warming is a major factor in the siting decision - it has said rising sea levels could make coastal sites unsuitable over the 100-year lifespan of a nuclear plant. |
READ THE REPORT Nuclear siting report [6.6MB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here | |
Three of the suggested sites - Hunterston, Torness and Chapelcross - are in Scotland but the final decision on new nuclear plants is likely to rest with the Scottish Parliament. | Three of the suggested sites - Hunterston, Torness and Chapelcross - are in Scotland but the final decision on new nuclear plants is likely to rest with the Scottish Parliament. |
Scotland's First Minister, Alex Salmond has said there is "no chance" of any nuclear power plants being built in Scotland, setting up the prospect of a showdown between Westminster and Holyrood. | Scotland's First Minister, Alex Salmond has said there is "no chance" of any nuclear power plants being built in Scotland, setting up the prospect of a showdown between Westminster and Holyrood. |
Consultation | Consultation |
The siting report was produced by Jackson Consulting in April 2006 for the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), which published it on Wednesday as a supporting document to its energy White Paper. | The siting report was produced by Jackson Consulting in April 2006 for the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), which published it on Wednesday as a supporting document to its energy White Paper. |
It should be not too far from London, there should be easy access to a University; there should be some degree of isolation Sir John Cockcroft, 1948 article on siting nuclear reactor | It should be not too far from London, there should be easy access to a University; there should be some degree of isolation Sir John Cockcroft, 1948 article on siting nuclear reactor |
The government is planning its own investigation into suitable locations for nuclear reactors, which will be launched in 2008 - if the government decides to back nuclear power. | The government is planning its own investigation into suitable locations for nuclear reactors, which will be launched in 2008 - if the government decides to back nuclear power. |
Launching the White Paper on Wednesday, Trade Secretary Alistair Darling said his "preliminary view" was to allow more nuclear plants, but there would be a five-month consultation period. | Launching the White Paper on Wednesday, Trade Secretary Alistair Darling said his "preliminary view" was to allow more nuclear plants, but there would be a five-month consultation period. |
There will be a separate consultation on the criteria used for choosing the location of new reactors. | There will be a separate consultation on the criteria used for choosing the location of new reactors. |
If the government decides to back nuclear power, it will carry out a Strategic Siting Assessment (SSA) to identify the best sites in the UK for new nuclear plants. | If the government decides to back nuclear power, it will carry out a Strategic Siting Assessment (SSA) to identify the best sites in the UK for new nuclear plants. |
The government says the SSA will speed up the planning process as it will "deal with siting matters that are sufficiently generic for them to be sensibly addressed nationally". | The government says the SSA will speed up the planning process as it will "deal with siting matters that are sufficiently generic for them to be sensibly addressed nationally". |
Wildlife habitats | Wildlife habitats |
Local people will still be able to object to the building of new nuclear power plants - but only on strictly local grounds, such as noise and traffic problems. | Local people will still be able to object to the building of new nuclear power plants - but only on strictly local grounds, such as noise and traffic problems. |
They will not be able to object on wider environmental grounds - such as the potential effects of radiation and nuclear waste. | They will not be able to object on wider environmental grounds - such as the potential effects of radiation and nuclear waste. |
European legislation protecting wildlife habitats must also be met. | European legislation protecting wildlife habitats must also be met. |
But the issue of whether a particular location is the most suitable place to build a nuclear reactor will be off limits as it will already have been decided by the SSA. | But the issue of whether a particular location is the most suitable place to build a nuclear reactor will be off limits as it will already have been decided by the SSA. |
Critics say the government has caved in to pressure from the nuclear industry, which has lobbied for the planning process to be streamlined. | Critics say the government has caved in to pressure from the nuclear industry, which has lobbied for the planning process to be streamlined. |
But the government says it wants to avoid lengthy and expensive public inquiries, citing the Sizewell B inquiry which it said cost £30m and only 30 of 340 days devoted to local issues. | But the government says it wants to avoid lengthy and expensive public inquiries, citing the Sizewell B inquiry which it said cost £30m and only 30 of 340 days devoted to local issues. |
Airfield sites | Airfield sites |
The Jackson Consulting report also reveals the Department of Trade and Industry has been working on the policy planning assumption that 10 new reactors will be built. | The Jackson Consulting report also reveals the Department of Trade and Industry has been working on the policy planning assumption that 10 new reactors will be built. |
The government has stressed the actual number of new reactors will be decided by the nuclear industry, which may decide not to build any at all. | The government has stressed the actual number of new reactors will be decided by the nuclear industry, which may decide not to build any at all. |
The report also reprints an article first published in 1948 by Sir John Cockcroft, on how the decision was reached to site Britain's first nuclear reactors at Harwell, in Oxfordshire. | The report also reprints an article first published in 1948 by Sir John Cockcroft, on how the decision was reached to site Britain's first nuclear reactors at Harwell, in Oxfordshire. |
"We considered the desirable location for the future Establishment. It should be not too far from London, there should be easy access to a University; there should be some degree of isolation and lastly the countryside should be pleasant to live in," wrote Sir John. | "We considered the desirable location for the future Establishment. It should be not too far from London, there should be easy access to a University; there should be some degree of isolation and lastly the countryside should be pleasant to live in," wrote Sir John. |
After a brief tour of airfield sites, a shortlist was drawn up and Harwell was chosen as the site for the Atomic Energy Research Establishment. | After a brief tour of airfield sites, a shortlist was drawn up and Harwell was chosen as the site for the Atomic Energy Research Establishment. |
Britain's first military reactor was sited in a more remote location, at Windscale, now Sellafield, in Cumbria, in 1947, using a US siting system which said it should be 25 miles from any town of 10,000 people or more. | Britain's first military reactor was sited in a more remote location, at Windscale, now Sellafield, in Cumbria, in 1947, using a US siting system which said it should be 25 miles from any town of 10,000 people or more. |
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