The government yesterday announced the decision would be made by July 20 at the latest. It had previously been expected today.

Paul Scully, minister at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, said: "I have decided to set a new deadline of no later than July 20, 2022, for deciding this application.

"This is to ensure there is sufficient time to allow the Secretary of State to consider the proposal."

The original deadline for the decision was May 25, but this was put back as secretary of state Kwasi Kwarteng asked for more detail on how water would be supplied to the site.

It comes after the government delayed a decision over whether to approve a new coal mine for steel production on the outskirts of Whitehaven in Cumbria on Wednesday.

A spokesperson for Sizewell C said: "We note today's announcement and await the government’s decision."