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Dungeness ruled out of running for new power station

The 11 proposed sites for nuclear power station development. Graphic by Ashley Austen
The 11 proposed sites for nuclear power station development. Graphic by Ashley Austen

by Jo Sword and Michael Defroand

Kent will not have a new nuclear power station.

The Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband told MPs earlier today that Dungeness, near Romney Marsh had been ruled out of consideration thanks to environmental concerns.

Ten sites across England and Wales remain on the list as having been identified by the government as suitable for new nuclear power stations.

Opinion on the power station has been split in the area, with a desire to see more jobs created balanced with environmental concerns.

Mr Miliband made the announcement following fears that the country could experience an energy shortfall by 2015.

It is thought the Government will change planning law to speed projects through and all the other nominees for nuclear stations remained in the running.

Speaking before the announcement, Hilary Newport, the director of the Kent branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, said: "There are nature conservation sites around there, it’s not the most stable of sites.

"If you were starting from scratch, Dungeness may not be the first place you think of - but we are where we are, there are two power stations already built there."

Audio: Hear Hilary Newport speaking ahead of the announcement

The other 10 proposed sites:

  • Hartlepool nominated by EDF Energy
  • Heysham nominated by EDF Energy
  • Sellafield nominated by NDA
  • Kirksanton nominated by RWE
  • Braystones nominated by RWE
  • Wylfa Peninsula nominated by NDA and RWE
  • Oldbury nominated by NDA and EON
  • Hinkley Point nominated by EDF Energy
  • Bradwell nominated by NDA
  • Sizewell nominated by EDF Energy
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