Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Owen Humphreys/PA Archive
Sellafield

Sellafield to be one of UK’s ‘next generation’ nuclear sites

The Cumbrian nuclear plant is confirmed as one of eight considered suitable for a second new station.

SELLAFIELD HAS BEEN named as a site for one of the UK’s eight ‘next generation’ nuclear power sites – despite long-standing Irish lobbying for the existing nuclear plant there to be shut down completely.

The site of the existing Cumbrian plant is one of eight confirmed by the British government today as being suitable for new power stations, which are to be built by 2025.

BBC News reported that the proposals for the new stations had come on the back of a lengthy public consultation process. The proposals for new sites will now be sent to the House of Commons for their likely approval.

The wave of new nuclear plans are intended to replace the UK’s ageing coal-based power stations – but the plan has been attacked by the Irish political opposition, who say the UK have snubbed Ireland’s longstanding campaigns for Sellafield to be shut entirely.

The announcement will prove a bitter blow to Ireland’s Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan, who in March claimed to have hammered home Ireland’s opposition to Sellafield during a meeting with his British counterpart Chris Huhne.

“It would appear that Minister Hogan, was totally ignored on the Sellafield issue,” Fianna Fáil’s environment spokesman Niall Collins said this evening.

“Either Minister Hogan was talking up his meeting and exaggerating his directness, or he simply failed to make Ireland’s case effectively.

“The fact that just months after the arrival of a new Irish government, the British would publish plans to build another nuclear facility on the site, is deeply disturbing.”

The announcement of the new British plants comes just three months after the Fukushima disaster.

Your Voice
Readers Comments
15
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.