AN independent study has been published on the societal impact of building the Hinkley Point C (HPC) nuclear power station as it approaches ‘peak construction’.

The research was commissioned by the New Nuclear Local Authorities Group (NNLAG), a collection of 10 councils across the UK, including Somerset Council, which already host or are likely to host nuclear new build projects.

It aims to help local authorities understand how construction of a nuclear power station can affect their area.

The 75-page document is intended to be a useful reference point for project promoters, their teams, the Government, and local authorities for nuclear and other infrastructure, helping them better plan for and implement their projects in a way that maximises benefits and minimises negative impacts, to the advantage of all involved.

The study assessed Hinkley C’s actual socio-economic and biophysical impacts at peak construction, which was measured by the 12,000 current size of the workforce, and compared them with predictions.

It also sought to explain any differences, how they could be managed, and provide recommendations for future planning and assessment processes.

Somerset executive Cllr Mike Rigby said: “We have lived alongside the HPC construction project for over a decade and having an independent study of the project offers us a different perspective that supports Somerset’s growing role in sharing learning with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, other nuclear local authorities, and regions gaining significant infrastructure projects here, and in Europe.

“While there is no doubt a nationally significant infrastructure project of this size brings many social and economic benefits, it requires complex planning, monitoring, and compliance work from the local authority over a long period of time.

“This study has an important role to play in learning, preparing for the future, and emphasising the importance of collaboration.”

The study recommended an independent body should provide the auditing of monitoring information against predictions.

It said all monitoring and auditing information should be publicly available, and ‘published’ on a regular basis as a vital resource for future major project developments in all their various sectors, and that there should be a repository for such documents.