Hinkley Point consultation deadline is extended

The consultation deadline for people who want to comment on plans for two new nuclear reactors at Hinkley Point in Somerset has been extended.

The closing date for EDF Energy's planning application for preliminary works for the reactors is now 1700 GMT on 31 January.

West Somerset Council said it had received several requests to extend the deadline from 12 January.

The plans can be viewed on the council website or at its HQ in Williton.

West Somerset Council's planning manager Andrew Goodchild said: "It is a major application that runs to hundreds of pages.

"The information can be very complex, so we consider the requests to be justified and we have agreed to extend the consultation until January 31."

Hinkley has been identified by the government as one of eight potential sites for a new nuclear power station.

Although a final decision on the plans for the new nuclear reactor would be taken by national government, the preparatory work will need approval from West Somerset Council.