By Alan Irving

Last updated at 12:08, Thursday, 07 June 2012

ENERGY giant NuGen is set to pay for Copeland Council staff to do work for it to help pave the way for a planned nuclear power station.

The aim of the proposed work is to progress an application for development order consent leading to construction but without prejudice to whether or not the Moorside reactors are built near Sellafield.

A new National Infrastructure Directorate will decide on all new UK power station applications, including Moorside. But decisions will be made by the government body based on views from the councils, consultations and from prospective developers.

Subject to Planning Performance Agreements being signed off around the end of June, NuGen will fund a legally-binding contract for a wide range of work to be done on its behalf by both Copeland and Cumbria County Council staff.

Copeland says making its resources available would be the same as a developer paying a planning fee – contributing to council costs to determine major planning projects, nothing else.

The Spanish-led consortium predicts a £9 billion investment for West Cumbria if new electricity-producing reactors are built.

And Copeland Council says: “The successful delivery of a new power station would have a significant positive economic impact on the area and would contribute to West Cumbria’s objective of becoming Britain’s Energy Coast.”

Project management would be among likely workstreams along with consultations, planning policy implications, socio-economics, community benefits, environmental impact assessment, emergency planning and communications.

NuGen spokesman John McNamara said: “We will be paying the councils for their time on the project. We recognise it is labour intensive at time when councils are under pressure, so we are talking about investing in the time and expertise of council employees. It would also mean an additional revenue stream for the councils.

“The PPA is one element to ensure adequate resourcing is available to the council for their involvement in the statutory planning process in relation to the Moorside project”

Funding could be on an hourly staff rate but the payment method has still to be agreed.

Pat Graham, Copeland’s director for people and places, emphasised: “Requiring the developer to provide funding through a PPA should NOT be regarded as a means by which the developer can influence the decision by paying for the means by which it is administered. Developers are simply doing the same as paying a planning fee. They are contributing to the costs incurred by councils to determine major projects – nothing more.”

While the nuclear work will not stop Copeland Council’s job cuts, chief executive Paul Walker said: “It will be a case of developing the existing knowledge and skills of our staff to deliver new opportunities for the borough.”

He told Executive councillors: “The authority won’t be one penny out of pocket. It is also a major opportunity for our staff. They’ll be working on a wide range of issues right here on the ground and using local knowledge.”

Leader Elaine Woodburn said: “It’s going to be beneficial to have the required skills among our own council staff. Some nuclear developers are running away from the UK right now, NuGen are still committed, we must do what we can to make sure they will be making the right investment.”

Meanwhile, Copeland Council is looking to appoint a new head of nuclear, energy and planning on a salary of £52,000 a year reflecting a “unique role of the nuclear sector” in the borough.

It is also described as “a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

First published at 11:09, Thursday, 07 June 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk