Approval for Sizewell A to be partly demolished

There are plans to build Sizewell C, on the right, as Sizewell A, far left, is being decommissioned

Plans to demolish the turbine hall and electrical annexe at Sizewell A have been approved.

It came as efforts to fully decommission the facility in Suffolk continued following its closure in December 2006.

The land has been the focus of a new nuclear reactor – Sizewell C – planned by French energy company EDF.

Site director Alan Walker said Sizewell A had been decommissioned "safely, securely and sustainably".

The twin reactors were shut down on 31 December 2006 after 40 years of low-carbon electricity generation.

Sizewell is on the east Suffolk coast between Aldeburgh and Southwold.

The demolition will be undertaken by Nuclear Restoration Services

Officials said about 2,500 tonnes of metal had been removed and recycled from the turbines over the past year.

"This is one of the largest programmes of work Sizewell A has seen for many years," senior project manager Wendy Heath said.

"We began removing all the redundant equipment from the turbine hall last year and expect to complete this in August, ready for the demolition stage."

The work is set to be undertaken by Nuclear Restoration Services.

There has not been an indication as to when an investment decision into Sizewell C will be made by the new government.

The previous government had said it would secure funding this year for the power plant, and £2.5bn has already been spent on the project.

Speaking in July, Alison Downes, of Stop Sizewell C, said she hoped ministers were taking the time to "reconsider their support".