Fresh calls for rethink over new Dungeness power plant

Dungeness nuclear power station started generating in 1965

Hundreds of people have called on the coalition to reconsider a decision to rule out Dungeness as the site of a new nuclear power plant.

The previous government dismissed Dungeness as a location for one of 10 new nuclear power stations in 2009.

About 200 people gathered at the meeting in New Romney on Saturday, to pledge their support for a new plant.

Conservative MP for Folkestone and Hythe Damian Collins vowed to take the issue right to the heart of government.

'Thousands of jobs'

He told the meeting he would take a petition signed by hundreds of residents supporting Dungeness to Downing Street on Tuesday.

Mr Collins said thousands of jobs in Kent and East Sussex were dependent on the power plant.

The meeting in New Romney was also attended by officials from the Department of Energy and Climate Change.

Dungeness was rejected as an option for a new nuclear power station primarily on environmental grounds.

It is in an area prone to flooding and the shingle beach which protects the current site from the sea often needs to be replenished.