A VISION for how two councils could work together as plans for a new power station at Bradwell progress has been revealed.

Maldon District Council and Essex County Council are proposing forming a Joint Bradwell Member Board so they can work together on items of ‘mutual interest’ within the bid.

In 2011 the Government revealed a list of eight sites deemed “potentially suitable” for new nuclear stations, including Bradwell.

In January, it was announced the Government had asked nuclear regulators to begin the process of approving a Chinese-designed reactor for a new power plant.

EDF Energy signed a deal with China General Nuclear Power Corporation for Bradwell B, a greenfield site next to the former station.

No date for work to start or a timeline for the project has been revealed.

A paper, which went before Maldon District Council last Thursday, outlines plans to set up the board and seven point vision.

The information, which forms a planning performance agreement, sets out how the new power station would have ‘an engaged community approach’ throughout construction, operation and decommission and says it should be ensured the project supports making a positive socio-economic impact on the district.

The report by council chief executive Fiona Marshal said: “Experiences on other contemporary nuclear new build (and also grid transmission) has shown that having a shared vision at the project outset can be highly beneficial in ensuring that the planning performance agreement is tailored against the backdrop of mutually preferred outcomes.”

A spokesperson for Essex County Council said: "Essex County Council and Maldon District Council, as formal consultees, are working together to ensure that Essex benefits especially by learning from other new nuclear developments.”

In his leader’s speech, Councillor Mark Durham, leader of Maldon District Council, said: “The opportunity for a new power station remains a long term goal for our council.

“We are in the process of meeting our Chinese partners, who will be the majority shareholders of Bradwell B to discuss opportunities. We must be proactive in engaging with the Chinese to ensure that we can secure as many benefits as possible, as soon as possible.”