Campaigners say it would be “irresponsible” to build a major new power station by the River Blackwater.

The Bradwell B power station has been described as “rather like throwing dangerous wastes into a bathtub that eventually overflows with no means of turning off the tap” by the Blackwater Against New Nuclear Group (Banng).

The group is hopeful the project will not “survive” as new nuclear stations start to appear more “vulnerable”.

A spokesman for the group said: “It would be thoroughly irresponsible to build a nuclear station operating for 60 years with highly radioactive wastes left there until at least well into the next century.

“Recent dire warnings from the International Panel on Climate Change indicate sea levels continuing to rise with increasing storm surges and flooding especially on low-lying eastern shores.”

Banng chairman Professor Andy Blowers said: “Rising costs and rising sea levels should rule out the Bradwell site from further consideration.

“But, the loss of three sites in quick succession puts immediate pressure on the government, regulators and planning authorities to approve a technology and a site that is manifestly unsatisfactory and a danger to communities now and in the far future.”

Bradwell B is one of three projects the China General Nuclear Power Group and EDF Energy are delivering in the UK over the coming years.

Construction is ongoing at Hinkley Point in Somerset.

The team behind the Bradwell B project said that an application for planning permission on the development is still “a number of years away” from being granted.

The project is still to go into consultation about the plans.

A spokesman for the Bradwell B Project said: “The Bradwell site was designated by the Government as being potentially suitable for new nuclear build in 2011 and this conclusion was reached taking account of the specified siting criteria, including flood risk and the potential for coastal change under the influence of sea level rise due to climate change.

“Whilst Bradwell B is at an early stage of pre-planning, preliminary marine studies have indicated that the site can be designed to withstand the effects of climate change throughout its lifetime without affecting coastal processes or increasing flood risk elsewhere.

“Detailed engineering and environmental studies are programmed to be carried out over the next few years and Bradwell B will work closely with the regulators, including the Office for Nuclear Regulation and Environment Agency as the studies progress.

“Once a power station enters operation, there will be ongoing coastal and climate change monitoring throughout its lifetime with provision made for adaptation if necessary.”