TORIES FAIL TO SPEAK OUT ON NUCLEAR (Scarborough and Whitby Liberal Democrats)

Scarborough and Whitby Liberal Democrats <info@scarboroughandwhitbylibdems.org.uk>

TORIES FAIL TO SPEAK OUT ON NUCLEAR

October 31, 2006 4:05 PM

Liberal Democrats at County Hall are alarmed that the Conservative-controlled County Council has made no response to the Government's nuclear power consultation.

The Department of Trade and Industry issued its "Policy Framework For New Nuclear Build" in July. The Government appears intent on denying local communities the right to address safety and economic issues at any inquiry by limiting these to local environmental impacts. It argues that "national strategic and regulatory issues are most appropriately discussed through processes other than the planning inquiry".

The consultation ends on 31 October, but the agenda for the Executive of the County Council, published today, contains no mention of it. County Councillor Bill Hoult, Leader of the Liberal Democrats at County Hall, comments:

"It is clear that the Government wants to avoid having to consult local people and planners over the building of new nuclear power stations. They are cutting out the democratic process where genuine concerns can be aired. Labour wants to have everything centrally decided, so they are trying to bypass normal planning channels."

"But the Tory leadership at County Hall are letting them get away with it. They have not even bothered to respond to the consultation."

"What we need is a proper debate about the future of nuclear power in this country, with all sections of the community involved. Yes, it might be time-consuming, but in the end it will lead to better decisions."

Councillor Bill Hoult, from Knaresborough, added:

"The Liberal Democrat Group at County Hall will be making its own submission to the consultation, and demanding a genuine debate."