A VILLAGE is organising its own public meeting to discuss plans for a new nuclear power station - and issues such as terrorist risk will be on the agenda.

David Green

A VILLAGE is organising its own public meeting to discuss plans for a new nuclear power station - and issues such as terrorist risk will be on the agenda.

British Energy has already organised a series of what it calls “local engagement” meetings to inform people about the potential for a new development at Sizewell.

However, none of the meetings is in Middleton where villagers have now decided to hold their own session.

British Energy has not yet confirmed it will submit plans for a Sizewell C but the site is one of four in the south of England being seriously considered and environmental studies are at an advanced stage.

The proposal at Sizewell is for two new reactors at a total cost of £6billion .

Middleton is one of the closest villages to Sizewell and, as with Sizewell B, is likely to be on the construction traffic route.

The village meeting, to which a British Energy speaker has been invited, will take place on July 26 at 11 am.

Other speakers will include Suffolk Coastal MP John Gummer and representatives from the Environment Agency and the parish council.

Susan Robinson, spokeswoman for the Middleton-cum-Fordley Village Plan Committee, said 64 residents who responded to a questionnaire had called for a meeting over the nuclear issue.

Questions had covered the issues of nuclear safety, terrorist risk, nuclear waste disposal and the impact on the area of more than 5,000 construction workers. These issues were among those likely to be raised at the meeting, she said.

British Energy's “local engagement” meetings have been organised for the first two weeks in July - at Yoxford, Westleton, Leiston, Stratford St Andrew and Saxmundham.

Brian Dowds, Sizewell B station director, said: “British Energy is very keen to continue the conversation with our neighbours around Sizewell B in advance of decisions on siting being made or any planning applications being submitted.

“Although we believe new nuclear build is good for the UK and good for Suffolk, we're also conscious that people need to be properly informed, have had the chance to air their views and to know that they've been listened to.”

British Energy's meetings will provide further updates on the company's plans and a presentation from Royal Haskoning , an environmental consultant firm carrying out impact assessments on British Energy's potential new build projects.

Similar meetings are being planned for British Energy's three other potential sites in the south of England - Bradwell in Essex, Dungeness in Kent and Hinkley Point in Somerset, later in the year.

The dates and venues for the Sizewell meetings are:

July 2 - Westleton Village Hall

July 3 - Yoxford Village Hall

July 7 - Saxmundham Market Hall

July 8 - Aldeburgh Community Centre

July 15 - Sizewell Sports and Social Club, Leiston

July 16 - Riverside Community Centre, Stratford St Andrews

Due to anticipated demand, people are being asked by British Energy to register their attendance at the meetings in advance by contacting mail@sizewellnewbuild.co.uk or telephone 0800 1976102.