ENERGY company EDF could be just weeks away from submitting their application for permission to build Hinkley Point C.

The Mercury has followed the progress every step of the way, from the initial proposal and consultations to heated meetings with statutory consultees including Sedgemoor District Council and Somerset County Council.

Hundreds of Mercury readers have written to us or e-mailed in with their comments on plans for the new power station - but there is still a chance to have your say.

Here is what happens next:

· Once the Infrastructure Planning Commission receives the development consent application for a new nuclear power station, it will have 28 days to review the application and decide whether or not to examine it. This will include looking at the accuracy of consultation and documentation in the application.

· If the application is accepted, the IPC will advise the timescales when interested parties can register to make a representation - this should be a minimum of 28 days.

· The IPC will have six months to examine the application. Statutory consultees, groups of people and individuals who have registered will be allowed to attend hearings and participate in open floor hearings. Petitions will not be accepted.

· After the six months, the IPC will then have a further three months to make a recommendation to the Secretary of State. It will not be able to add conditions to the plans - which means it will not be able to demand a by-pass.

· The Secretary of State will then have three months to decide whether it should give EDF permission to build Hinkley C.

Keep reading the Mercury for more information