A leading campaign group against a new nuclear site have been left furious after their comments were not included in a report ahead of a planning meeting this evening.

Work to start building a new nuclear power station in Bradwell is set to take a giant leap forward.

For years a second plant has been discussed but tonight permission is sought to begin work on the new site.

The application is for permission to do groundwork, the first piece in the jigsaw of a new plant actually being built.

However just two days before the meeting campaign groups claimed their objections to the project are being ignored and have been deliberately left off the information being presented to councillors who will make the decision.

If approved work will begin to make sure the ground is suitable for a new plant.

The application has been recommended for approval by Maldon District Council’s planning department.

The work will include digging sampling holes and carry out soil testing.

The site, the size of six football pitches, would be fenced off throughout the work, which will be carried out between 7am and 8pm on weekdays and every other weekend.

A council planning officer said: “Having taken all the planning considerations into account, it is found that the development would be acceptable and it would not have a detrimental impact on the character and landscape of the area.”

A spokesman for campaign group BANNG (Blackwater Against New Nuclear Group) said: “The application demonstrates a number of negative impacts such as flooding, ecological disturbance, amenity damage and archaeological destruction but provides no intimation of how these impacts can or will be mitigated if the development of a power station occurs.

“The detriments at the Bradwell site far exceed any notional benefits from a new power station. Quite simply the site is unacceptable and unfit for the purpose of a new nuclear power station.”

The group feared their objections had been ignored by the council after their views failed to make it into the committee report.

The council responded saying the objections would appear in a members update ahead of the meeting.

However, comments from BANNG do not appear in the members update.

A spokesman for BANNG said: “BANNG considers this to be a serious breach of protocol.

“The BANNG objections were provided in good faith and were submitted in accordance with the one working day's extension granted by the Planning Officer.

“All of this could be construed as a denial of democratic debate. It is certainly a serious breach of protocol. Incompetence in relation to such a serious issue should not occur.”

Maldon District Council say they have not received anything from BANNG Chairman Andy Blowers, however the group insist that the comments were submitted.