WEST Somerset Council's leader said he is delighted that Hinkley C is going ahead, but expressed disappointment at the council's lack of involvement in the decision-making process.

Cllr Anthony Trollope-Bellew said the council only received a telephone call from a civil servant an hour after the news had been broken in the press and online.

The day before the Prime Minister held a meeting with Bridgwater and West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger and Sedgemoor District Council leader Duncan McGinty to which neither Cllr Trollope-Bellew nor Taunton Deane Borough Council leader John Williams were invited.

"Sometimes it seems as though West Somerset is being ignored," Cllr Trollope-Bellew said. "West Somerset is the host authority for Hinkley C and sometimes I feel disappointed that we have not been more involved in the decision-making process."

"Neither West Somerset Council or Somerset County Council, the lead nuclear regulator, heard about the meeting until afterwards."

Cllr Trollope-Bellew did however welcome the Prime Minster's decision to approve the Hinkley deal.

"Obviously I am delighted that this decision has been made, it means many people who have been living in limbo these past few years can move forward," he said.

"It is also great for all the small businesses we have in the area who have been waiting to support this project whether it is buses or teabags, companies have invested a lot of money in equipment and training and it is not easy for small businesses to be hanging on, so I am pleased for them."

Conservative MP Ian Liddell-Grainger said that the Prime Minister decided who should be invited to the meeting.

He welcomed the Hinkley decision but said there would inevitably be massive disruption while the infrastructure to service Europe's largest construction site was put in place.

"First thing to say is that the Prime Minister has made the right decision. The French Government had already made the Final Investment Decision so now it is full steam ahead.

"Local councils know they have to up their game to deal with what is about to go ahead and negotiations for further sums of money for more infrastructure are already in progress.

"There will be inevitably be a lot of disruption with the road system going forward but I am confident the local area can cope with this.

"It is extremely good news after 10 years we have done it and we have got it as right as we can."