CAMPAIGNERS opposing the development of nuclear power in Bradwell-on-Sea said they believe ‘new nuclear’ in the area “remains dead in the water”.

Blackwater Against New Nuclear Group (BANNG) has been fighting its cause for 15 years.

On January 11, the Government released its Civil Nuclear: Roadmap to 2050.

BANNG claims it means the original eight government-listed coastal sites, including Bradwell, are no longer the only sites earmarked for nuclear deployment.

They say new nuclear power stations will only be sited in "suitable locations" identified by developers based on a set of criteria. 

BANNG chairman Professor Andy Blowers said: “This new approach to siting effectively rules Bradwell out of any further consideration. 

“As we have strenuously demonstrated over the last 15 years, Bradwell is a most unsuitable site and the Blackwater communities are overwhelmingly opposed to nuclear development in such a fragile location, increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.”

He added: “BANNG welcomes the effective delisting of the Bradwell site. Delisting is something we have insisted on since the list was first compiled more than a decade ago. 

“We are at a loss to understand what ‘certain advantages’ can conceivably be attributed to the site. 

“Rather as the myriad evidence accumulated and published over the years shows, Bradwell is a wholly unsuitable and unsatisfactory site for the development of nuclear power at whatever scale and capacity.”

A BANNG spokesman said: “A major problem is the vulnerability of the site to flooding, and to storm surges and coastal processes that are intensifying as the impacts of climate change begin to take hold on this fragile coastline.”

They added: “There are other significant reasons why Bradwell should be off the Nuclear Road Map. 

“The Blackwater area has precious environments in land, sea and sky which are protected, conserved and significant. 

“The intrusion of a mega power station or a cluster of smaller reactors would prove intrusive, polluting and detrimental to habitats and to human wellbeing. 

“Further, there would be dangerous highly radioactive wastes stored on the site for future generations to cope with, along with all the other problems of climate change.

“Above all, the communities around the Blackwater have over the years overwhelmingly declared against new nuclear development at the Bradwell site. 

“New nuclear is not welcome here.”