New study considers impacts of nuclear and major infrastructure projects

The building of Hinkley Point C began in March 2017, with work currently nearing peak construction. EDF Energy estimates the first unit being operational “near the end of the decade”.

The Hinkley Point C Peak Construction: Impacts Monitoring and Auditing Study (2023-24) was commissioned by the New Nuclear Local Authorities Group (NNLAG), a collection of 10 councils across the UK, whose areas already host or are likely to host nuclear new build projects.

It aims to help local authorities understand how construction of a nuclear power station can affect their area.

The document will be a useful reference point for project promoters, their teams, the government, and local authorities, be it for nuclear or other infrastructure projects, to better plan for and implement their projects in a way that maximises benefits and minimises negative impacts, to the advantage of all involved.

Councillor Richard Rout, Suffolk County Council, Chair of the New Nuclear Local Authorities Group, said:

“Learning from Hinkley Point C provides vital information for new nuclear sites that follow on – be it large scale, small modular or nuclear fusion projects.

“Many of the findings are also applicable to other major infrastructure projects, including all Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs).

“There is not much research available about the implementation of NSIPs, so this study will further inform and shape the debate of what good execution and monitoring of NSIPs should look like. This applies to the government’s national NSIP reform or any individual project being developed in the country.”

Led by renowned Professor John Glasson at Oxford Brookes University, this is the second study of its kind commissioned by NNLAG, following Oxford Brookes University’s initial study of early years construction of Hinkley Point C in 2018/19.

The latest study assesses the actual socio-economic and biophysical impacts at peak construction (as measured by the size of the workforce) and to compare those with predictions. It also seeks to explain any differences, how they can be managed and provide recommendations for future planning and assessment processes.

Cllr Rout continues:

“Our thanks go to Professor Glasson and the Oxford Brookes University team, as the study is helping us all to learn lessons, to reduce community impacts and increase benefits in our local communities.

“It is already showing its value in real terms. For example, in Suffolk there are many similarities with Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C, which has recently begun construction on our doorstep and has the potential to bring numerous benefits to the county.

“As a result of the report, we are watching - with some concern - the increase in workforce numbers at Hinkley Point C. We will be looking for reassurances and strong monitoring mechanisms to ensure that, should an increase of the maximum workforce at Sizewell become likely, additional mitigation is in place before this occurs.”

The report recognises the difficulty in predicting all impacts of a large infrastructure project, and therefore calls for an adaptive approach. It provides a number of recommendations of good practice for such projects, including:

• An independent body preferably provides the auditing of the monitoring information against predictions
• All monitoring and auditing information should be publicly available, and ‘published’ on a regular basis
• Monitoring and auditing reports provide a vital resource for future major project developments in all their various sectors; there should be a repository for such reports
• Rigorous monitoring and auditing can be resource intensive, therefore a light and proportionate approach using publicly available data and focusing on significant impacts can provide a useful way forward, with developer and local authority co-operation.