IRELAND’S National Trust is challenging permission for Somerset’s new nuclear power plant in the European courts.

An Taisce is contesting the legality of granting consent for Hinkley Point C, which would be 150 miles from the Irish coast.

Irish people should have been consulted about the environmental risks it is claiming under EU directives.

Planning consent to build Hinkley Point C was granted to EDF Energy back in March 2013 by Energy secretary Ed Davey.

An Taisce claim the government failed to undertake a ‘transboundary consultation’ with the Irish People as required by the European Commission’s Environmental Impact Assessment Directive.

The matter is going to a judicial review hearing in London.