Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance, (copy enclosed).

Councillors B E Harker and Miss S White left the meeting during this item of business and did not return.

The Council considered the report of the Director of Strategy, Performance and Governance seeking endorsement of a recommended response to the Stage 1 Consultation relating to the proposed Bradwell B power station proposals set out in Appendix A to the report.

The report provided background information regarding the identification, by the Government, of Bradwell as one of eight sites considered suitable in principle for the siting of a new nuclear power station.  Details of the work undertaken in respect of this and the stage 1 consultation were also provided, and it was noted that in light of the COVID-19 health emergency the consultation period had been extended.  Members were advised that following the consultation stages a decision would be made by the developer (BRB) as to whether a Development Consent Order application to the planning inspectorate would be submitted.

The Council received detailed presentations from the Strategy, Policy and Communications Manager and the Bradwell B Planning Lead.  The presentations highlighted the:

·                 Council’s adopted policy in respect of the development of a new nuclear power station at Bradwell-on-Sea;

·                 BRB’s consultation programme and Maldon District Council’s governance in relation to the stage 1 consultation;

·                 Stage 1 proposals for the power station both when operational and during the construction period.

Following the Officer presentations, Councillor A S Fluker presented the report and thanked Officers for the work they had undertaken in relation to this project.  He proposed that an additional recommendation be added, that Members are regularly consulted with from the start of the Development Consent Order (DCO) Stage 2 Statutory consultation process, so that they were able to understand and see what was involved as part of the consultation.  This was duly seconded.

A lengthy debate ensued during which a number of questions and comments were raised by Members.  The following information was provided by Officers in response to some of these.

·                 The consultation lacked detail and further information was required on a wide range of topics, including the proposals for the management of nuclear waste;

·                 The proposal for Bradwell B was for a conventional power station and not one of the micro units currently being developed by Rolls Royce.

·                 In terms of the scale of the proposal the Council had to consider what was presented in the Stage 1 consultation.  There was concern about the potential landscape impact across a wide area but ongoing discussions with BRB may provide some mititgation.

·                 BRB’s Statement of Community Consultation had set out how it would consult during the Stage 1 consultation.  In light of the COVID-19 health emergency Officers outlined the changes that BRB had made to the consultation to support community involvement and the response rate to date.  The Council had submitted a letter in April 2020 to BRB raising concerns about the loss of public exhibitions and highlighting the commitment within the Statement of Community Consultation.

·                 Technical appraisals would be undertaken  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1012