A CAMPAIGN group is calling for council bosses to delay permitting site investigations for a new nuclear power station.

Blackwater Against New Nuclear Group (BANNG), wants Maldon District Council to suspend a decision to allow Chinease nuclear developer CGN to undertake extensive site investigations on the Bradwell B site.

Banng claims it is “undemocratic and wrong” to give the go-ahead for a project which campaigners say is not needed on a site which has not yet been approved.

Plans for the ground development works of the proposed Bradwell B nuclear power station are set to go before Maldon District Council’s planning committee later this year.

The application, which was made by the Bradwell Power Generation Company, would see the company carry out ground investigations and other tests in connection to the proposed Bradwell B project.

A Banng spokesman said: “The decision on the site investigations is likely to be taken at a time when, owing to the coronavirus, normal meetings of Maldon District Council with public involvement are not possible, so normal democratic processes do not apply.

“A decision on an issue so significant as this should not be confined to a planning director advised by three members of the council.

“Banng therefore urges Maldon District Council to ensure the decision is suspended, at least until the council can properly meet.

“Banng believes, the only just and democratic decision the council should make is to refuse the application outright.

“It could otherwise decide to defer a decision until such time as the Government can confirm if a new nuclear power station is, in fact, still needed and, if so, go on to confirm whether another risky coastal site in the south east of England is politically and geographically the best place to put it.”

A council spokesman said: “The council is required to determine a planning application on its own merits.

“Whilst the council can understand some frustration with the current process, the Government has been clear in their guidance that the planning system must continue to function at this time.

“Therefore, Maldon District Council has a duty to determine this application in a timely manner – a deferral would leave the council open to appeal for non-determination.

“The current application will be assessed based on the submission and if the planning application is granted it will not mean that works on a new nuclear power station can commence.

“It should also not be read that the outcome of the current planning application will influence the council’s consultation response on the provision of a new nuclear power station within the district.

“The council considers that the level of public comments received during the consultation process evidences that there has been effective public engagement even at this challenging time.

“All consultation responses will be fully considered.”