Public inquiry for Snowdonia nuclear development
30 April 2002
A decision by the National Assembly for Wales to hold a public inquiry into the planning application for a massive nuclear storage facility at Trawsfynydd in the Snowdonia National Park has been welcomed by the watchdog body the Council for National Parks (CNP) (1).
Similar plans for decommissioning the nuclear power station were brought forward in 1998, but following objections, Magnox Electric (2) reviewed their position. The revised plans involve leaving the radioactive core of the nuclear reactor on site for the next 100 years.
"This issue is of national importance for both Wales and the rest of the UK because of its location in the Snowdonia National Park and the huge scale of activity that would follow from the proposals", said CNP’s planning expert Ruth Chambers.
"The work would also act as a precedent for other nuclear power stations to be taken out of service and be used to store nuclear waste. We therefore very much welcome the National Assembly’s decision to hold a public inquiry as these plans will now be subject to rigorous examination, including all the alternatives for decommissioning and site clearance".
Notes to editors
1 CNP is the national charity that works to protect and enhance the National Parks of England and Wales and areas that merit National Park status, and promote understanding and quiet enjoyment of them for the benefit of all.
2 Trawsfynydd is now owned by BNFL. The power station was built in the 1950s and generated power for only 28 years before closing in 1993.
For press queries please contact:
Ruth Chambers, Head of Policy on
020 7924 4077 ext. 222