Arguments for/against new reactor(s) at Hinckley point

Post by **adam2** » 18 Jan 2010, 09:08

As disscussed elswhere, the governmemt have given a "sort of" comittment to building new nuclear reactors adjacent to old ones at a number of locations, including Hinckley Point in Somerset.

When this was first announced, many local people were in favour of the proposals, the general if very unscientific view being "that the old one never blew up, so hopefully the new one wont either"
The likely extra employment was welcomed, both by potential employees, and by service industries that expected more money in the local economy.

Public opinion has now shifted against the proposals, not due to concerns re nuclear power as such, but because of the "requirement" to build a large workers camp nearby on a greenfield site.
There appears to be an assumption that very few locals will be employed, with most labour being imported from Eastern Europe.
There are concerns that such a camp will spoil the enviroment, and will become permanent, not being removed when the work is completed.
Concerns have also been raised that on completion of the work, that the workers will not return home, but will remain in the area and be reliant on social security and council housing.
Others have expressed concerns that the workers camp will contain or attract undesirable elements (whether home grown or imported) with a resultant increase in crime.

To add fuel to the fire, someone from the Minehead Chamber of commerce has said "Of course the workers camp should not be built in the countryside. It should be built in Minehead, on a brownfield site"

A cynic like me might suspect that one or more members have a particular brownfield site in mind, that they own, and cant sell or use profitably otherwise.

My personal view is that it does not matter because neither the new power station nor the resultant workers camp will ever be built.

RenewableCandy · Post by **RenewableCandy** » 18 Jan 2010, 14:37

That could get extremely ugly. People (well, let's face it: blokes) who come over en masse without their families (regardless of origin) are far more likely to do things that make them unpopular, than is a mixed or local workforce. And anyone who doesn't like nuclear per se will get far too tempted to take it out on the said workforce...who will, in addition, have absolutely no incentive to make a good job of their work (like for example, living near it with their families in the longer-term).

I can't think of a plan with more flaws.

And anyway, haven't people from Eastern Europe kind of gone off coming to the UK now?

adam2 I can only hope you're right!

Post by **adam2** » 18 Jan 2010, 14:57

Tempers are certainly getting somwhat heated re this.

It is well reported in the local paper, the "WEST SOMERSET FREE PRESS" I have tried to post a link to the newspaper article, but for some reason it does not work.
Any attempt at posting a link results in a blank post.

RenewableCandy · Post by **RenewableCandy** » 18 Jan 2010, 16:41

News blackout, eh? Can't say I blame them!!

JohnB · Post by **JohnB** » 18 Jan 2010, 18:39

Shame they didn't build the wind farm on the site instead, but that wasn't very popular with some people either. It didn't involve a workers camp as far as I know.

In Llanybydder not too far from me, there are apparently around 300 Poles who work at the local meat factory, in a town of around 1300. As far as I know it doesn't cause a problem, but it's probably very confusing in a mostly Welsh speaking town! There's a big Polish food section in the local supermarket.

Post by **adam2** » 19 Jan 2011, 13:55

According to local reports, site clearence and other works have now started although planning permision has not yet been granted.

JohnB · Post by **JohnB** » 19 Jan 2011, 16:38

adam2 wrote:According to local reports, site clearence and other works have now started although planning permision has not yet been granted.

I think that's what the post I put on the other Hinkley thread was about
http://www.powerswitch.org.uk/forum/vie ... 397#158397

Pepperman · Post by **Pepperman** » 19 Jan 2011, 20:15

There's an interesting back story to the opinion polls....

http://www.climatesock.com/2010/11/don% ... out-polls/

RenewableCandy · Post by **RenewableCandy** » 20 Jan 2011, 15:26

Ben Goldacre wrote this up, along the same lines, as "Hello madam would you like your son/daughter to be unemployed?".

Bandidoz · Post by **Bandidoz** » 25 Jan 2011, 15:47

adam2 wrote:Tempers are certainly getting somwhat heated re this.

It is well reported in the local paper, the "WEST SOMERSET FREE PRESS" I have tried to post a link to the newspaper article, but for some reason it does not work.
Any attempt at posting a link results in a blank post.

This one?
http://www.west-somerset-today.co.uk/news.cfm?id=532

Post by **adam2** » 25 Jan 2011, 16:50

I dont think that it is the article that I tried to link to, but no matter as it still gives a good overview of the situation.

The older article was more about the requirement for a camp for imported workers on a greenfield site.