EDF Energy has been given permission to remove a 40-year-old pile of buried waste containing suspected asbestos at Hinkley Point - after denying the work was linked to plans for a third nuclear reactor.

EDF's proposal also included the installation of a new helipad.

At Thursday's Somerset County Council regulation committee meeting, Crispin Aubrey, speaking on behalf of anti-nuclear group Stop Hinkley, said he believed the application formed part of plans for a new Hinkley C station, as the mound had not been touched for decades and was not significantly contagious.

However, David Eccles, of EDF, said the work was a clear up of waste from Hinkley A, and would be done regardless of whether or not Hinkley C was approved.

The regulation committee granted approval, despite concerns also being raised by Cannington Parish Council, about the noise and traffic that would be caused by the work.