Today the Government has published an update on the National Policy Statement for Energy, including the assessment of nuclear sites. You can read the report about Dungeness here.
Dungeness has not been listed at this stage as one of the 8 sites where the Government is recommending that new nuclear power stations could be built by 2025.
However, there remains a new 3 month consultation in which we can make our case, and then there will be debate of the final recommendations in parliament.
In the site report for Dungeness published today as part of the report on the consultation, the Department for Energy makes some important points that show that the door is not closed on a new power station at Dungeness. In particular:
“The Government remains satisfied that Dungeness is credible for deployment by 2025 assuming that issues [regarding proximity to sites of ecological importance] could be resolved.” [par 7.896]
“Should evidence come forward that satisfies the Government that there is potential for development to take place at Dungeness, the Government would consider whether Dungeness should be included in the Nuclear National Policy Statement.” [par 7.917]
“A new nuclear power station at Dungeness would be likely to have long term positive impacts for employment, the economy and communities at the local level.” [par 7.939]
“Responses to the consultation have illustrated the strength of feeling regarding the importance of Dungeness to local people and the local economy in particular”.
As far as I am concerned the fight for a new power station at Dungeness goes on. I believe that a new power station is right for our community and the energy interests of the country. It is disappointing that Dungeness has not been included on this revised list for nuclear sites, but the Government has clearly not closed the door on Dungeness, and in its report gives clear guidance on the issues where it is looking for reassurance. I hope we can use the final stage of the consultation over the next three months to do just that.
The benefits to the local economy and the important new jobs that would be created by Dungeness C are accepted by the Government. I believe these interests are greater than the objections that have been raised by Natural England who want to protect the vegetated shingle around the power station.
However, the land disturbed when Dungeness B was built has shown that this vegetation can grow back within a relatively short period of time – so perhaps this habitat is more robust that Natural England would have us believe. I know that the local people are.
I would also like people to sign the ‘Say Yes to Dungeness’ petition that I will present to the Prime Minister before the consultation closes, to show the strength of local opinion in supporting a new power station
You can find the petition online here
There is also a facebook page called ‘Say Yes to Dungeness’