AN MP has visited the site of a proposed new nuclear power station.

Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport John Whittingdale was shown the possible site for Bradwell B along with MEP Vicky Ford.

Power company EDF Energy signed the heads of terms with China General Nuclear Power Corporation for the new power station last October.

The Chinese company will provide two thirds of the development costs and hope to begin construction by 2023.

The pair also visited the current Bradwell power station which is being decommissioned.

The power station stopped generating electricity in 2002 after 40 years and following decommissioning, the power station will enter a care and maintenance stage.

Mr Whittingdale, who went on the roof of one of the old reactors, said: “Bradwell is the first commercial reactor to be decommissioned in the UK and the techniques being developed here will be used across the industry.

“Many local people have a long experience of working at Bradwell both during the power stations operations and during the decommissioning.

“A new facility will bring more opportunities especially for the next generation to develop high skilled jobs."

Opponents to the new power station say it will damage the eco system around Bradwell and across to Mersea.