THE Environment Agency is giving people an extra two months to comment on two environmental permit applications for the proposed nuclear power station at Hinkley Point.

People living in West Somerset and Bridgwater were originally given until October 6 to comment on the applications submitted by NNB Generation Company Limited, a joint venture between EDF Energy and Centrica.

But the Environment Agency has now decided to extend the original 30-day consultation period to December 15.

The Environment Agency also confirmed that they have received a further application to make water discharges from the proposed station.

The applications can be viewed at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/hinkleypoint Environment Agency spokesman Brian Payne said: “A number of people and professional partners have requested more time to respond to our consultation on the environmental permit applications we've received.

“We recognise the high public interest in the Hinkley Point C site and have decided that extending our consultation within our existing permit programme is possible.

“We will be closely examining these applications to enable us to decide whether to grant or refuse the permits. We would like as many people as possible to respond to these applications and will carefully consider their views before making our decision.”

The Environment Agency must decide whether to grant or refuse each application. If it grants an application, it must decide what conditions should be included in the permit.

Any comments should be sent by December 15 to: The Environment Agency Permitting Support Centre PO Box 4404 Sheffield S9 4WF Or you can email NNB@environment-agency.gov.uk