Andy Blowers asks if the hectic activity over the Bradwell nuclear project represents the dénouement or merely another stage in a long journey towards an unpredictable end game. Since the beginning of this year, during the coronavirus emergency, the conflict over a new nuclear power station at Bradwell has come to a head. This is not the first culmination experienced. The came late in 2007 when Bradwell was identified as a ‘possible site’ – and led to the formation of BANNG. Then came the site selection process with Bradwell listed as a ‘potentially suitable’ site in 2011. In 2015, the ‘Golden Relationship’ with China was sealed with the offer to China to seek regulatory approval to build their own reactors at the site. This time feels different and may presage the end of the affair rather than a hiatus. Three matters, each with profound implications for Bradwell B, have seamlessly and simultaneously intertwined, each a setback for CGN (the developer) but which together deal a possibly fatal blow to Chinese ambitions on the Blackwater.
BANNG 12th Aug 2020 read more »
THERE was turmoil at a Maldon District Council meeting yesterday (Thursday, 13 August) when it was abandoned during a row between councillors over whether some of the debate on plans for a nuclear power station at Bradwell should be held in public or private. The virtual meeting had three major planning applications on the agenda – with a planned exclusion of the public and press after the first while councillors heard ‘exempt information’ on the two applications listed last on the agenda – including the power station plan. Independent Councillor Chrisy Morris then objected to the exclusion of the public and press. He argued that the entire discussion of the Bradwell plans should be heard in public and demanded a committee vote on whether to continue in private or not. Chair of the meeting, Deputy Leader and Conservative Councillor Maddie Thompson, did not agree and the discussion became heated before public and press access to the live stream was cut off. The meeting was not resumed later as planned. A spokesperson for Maldon District Council said: ““Due to the continued interruptions during the meeting, the Deputy Leader decided that the best option was to call a halt to the meeting. Discussions are currently taking place as to when this meeting can be reconvened.” In a statement after the meeting, Cllr Morris said: “The councillors quite overwhelmingly refused these applications and we asked the officers to make our objections watertight if the applicants were to appeal. It appears that they instead decided to seek legal advice that would make our objections seem unreasonable at appeal in an attempt to change our minds – my personal opinion is this is bullying. “I am against hearing this advice in private as if an attempt to bully us is made – the public have a right to know. I believe that once there was a possibility that this bullying attempt was going to be in the public domain, they used it to shut the meeting. “I am here to represent the wishes of the people and will not be bullied. The public has a right to know.”
Maldon Nub News 14th Aug 2020 read more »