COLCHESTER Council is set to oppose plans to build a new nuclear power station across the river at Bradwell.

Following a request from the authority’s scrutiny committee, an extraordinary full council meeting has been called for Wednesday.

At the meeting, the authority will debate a motion put forward by council leader Mark Cory.

The motion states: “Accepting different views may be held strategically about nuclear power for the UK, this council should make clear its position on new nuclear at Bradwell and the impact of new nuclear upon the borough of Colchester.

“This council objects to new nuclear at Bradwell due to the environmental impacts and prefers a focus on renewable energy alternatives.”

Following the debate the council is likely to amend its response to the Bradwell B public consultation, held earlier this year.

Mr Cory said: “We are not the planning authority but we are a significant consultee.

“We believed we had a strong policy against nuclear at Bradwell but actually there was no policy in place.

Halstead Gazette:

“I am very clear on this personally myself, as well as portfolio holder Mike Lilley, are against new nuclear power.

“I will put forward my arguments at the council meeting but I wanted the council to have a full debate on the issue so we have got the policy moving forwards.”

Colchester Council has backed concerns raised by West Mersea Town Council and campaign group Blackwater Against New Nuclear Group (BANNG).

These include the unsuitability of the site, the impact on Mersea Island residents and the destruction of the area of the Blackwater estuary.

The council will be asked to take its objection to the Infrastructure Planning Inspectorate, who will make a recommendation to the Secretary of State on whether the project gets the go-ahead in a few years time.

Professor Andy Blowers, chairman of BANNG, said: “The massive scale of the project, which would totally overwhelm the Blackwater area and the Dengie peninsular, has proved too much for our local councils to stomach, even for the promise of thousands of jobs.

“The price, in terms of loss of environment and wellbeing, is simply too high.”

Maldon District Council has also refused planning permission for ground investigations to take place at the Bradwell B site.