EDF Energy’s planning application for preliminary works for two new nuclear reactors at Hinkley Point has been registered by West Somerset Council.

The application, number 3/32/10/037, is available for inspection by clicking the link below or at the council’s headquarters in Killick Way, Williton.

Key points from the application include:

- The application site covers 171 hectares, equivalent to more than 158 football pitches.

- The proposal includes the loss of 21 hectares of habitat and substantial drainage works including culverting Holford Stream.

- Temporary and permanent closure of footpaths including the temporary closure of a stretch of the coastal footpath.

The following potential associated consequences to the local community are:

- Daily HGV movements for this application will peak from July-September 2011 with 164 daily deliveries to the site.

- At the peak of operations in the first few months of 2012, 560 workers would be on site.

- No proposed improvements to existing highways, the C182 and A39 linking to the M5, with the potential for significant traffic noise impacts.

EDF anticipates preliminary works will take 15 months and hopes to start work in early 2011.

In addition, EDF proposes a £2.25m community fund to ‘fully mitigate communities affected by the residual impacts of the development such as noise, loss of tranquillity, air quality and visual impact and to promote economic development initiatives in the area.

EDF is also proposing to make a payment of £600,000 to West Somerset Community College towards the cost of revising the vocational curriculum and redeveloping the premises at the college.

West Somerset Council has written to statutory consultees and the communities living close to the proposed site and responses must be received by January 12.