'Hard Hitting' Report as Shepway Looks to Reverse Dungeness Decision

WARNING - around 60% of this is a press release cut and paste - many thanks media team at the council.

Shepway District Council is sending a ‘hard hitting’ response to the government over the decision not to include Dungeness as a possible site for a new nuclear power station.


Citing incorrect employment statistics as ‘one of a number of errors that combined to ‘seriously understate’ the need for a new station.’

A press release on the council website states ‘This is a vitally important shortcoming, particularly in the case of Dungeness as the current decommissioning of A station and closure of B station from 2018 are key threats to the area's future prosperity and its already fragile economy.

‘The report also argues that the government has ignored the local community support for Dungeness and that it is ‘premature' to conclude the Natural England's objections over the loss of vegetated shingle habitat could not be addressed.

‘By the government's own definition, there is an Imperative Reason of Over-riding Public Interest to justify the inclusion of Dungeness, despite the ecological concerns.’

‘Leader of the Council, Robert Bliss, said the report presented very strong grounds for a review of the decision to exclude Dungeness.

"We have stressed the very heavy local dependence on the nuclear industry and that a new station at Dungeness is vital to ensure a sustainable future for local communities," said Cllr Bliss. "If Dungeness is not included as a site for a new station, this council calls on the government to explain what intervention packages it will put in place to ensure that the loss of existing prosperity and the loss of future opportunity is mitigated against." [press release ends]

The report comes from the council rather than a political party. However, there has been a clear split in approach to the issue along party lines. The Lib Dems have been vocal in opposition to a new power station at Dungeness whereas Conservatives and other councillors have always maintained the need for a new power station.

Lib Dem councillors have criticised the Conservative group for relying too heavily on the possibility of a new power station for the Marsh, rather than having a back up plan.