Setting one's sites

The UK government has given its nuclear industry a two-month deadline to nominate sites for the next generation of nuclear new-build.

The call for nominations was made alongside a list of criteria that the proposals will be judged against as part of the response to last year’s Strategic Siting Assessment (SSA). These include conditions that any new-build be sited away from large populations or certain types of military activity.

Sites assessed to be strategically suitable will be listed on the draft Nuclear National Policy Statement (NPS), which will be open for consultation. From 2010, developers will be able to apply for planning permission.

Europe’s main utility companies have been forming partnerships in anticipation of government proposals to replace ageing state-built reactors. Groups have until the end of March to submit their applications.

From 2010, developers may apply to the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) for planning permission for those sites that are found to be strategically suitable in the Nuclear NPS. Before a developer applies for permission it will have to consult affected local authorities and local communities.