Catalogue description Hinkley Point C Inquiry: Records

On 21 March 1988, Cecil Parkinson, Secretary of State for Energy, announced the setting up of the public inquiry into the Central Electricity Generating Board's (CEGB) plans to construct a pressurised water reactor nuclear power station at Hinkley Point in Somerset. On information available to the Secretary of State, the following economic, safety environmental and planning matters were likely to be relevant to his consideration of the CEGB's application to construct a pressurised water reactor (PWR) at Hinkley Point:

(1) the applicant's requirement for the power station - particularly in the light of Government policy as set out in the answer given on 17 December 1987 and in the White Paper "Privatising Electricity" (CM322), in particular paragraphs 44-49;

(2) the safety features of the design, construction and operation of the station, taking into account the conclusion on the safety of the Sizewell B PWR contained in the report of Sir Frank Layfield QC and the views of the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate, as representing the Health and Safety Executive (the licensing authority);

(3) the on-site management of radioactive waste arising from the station and radioactive discharges from the station to the environment in the light of the views of the Authorising Departments; and

(4) the implications of the proposed development (including construction, operation and decommissioning) for:

(a) agriculture and fisheries;

(b) the local economy including employment;

(c) water supply and disposal;

(d) transport requirements;

(e) coast protection and sea defences;

(f) housing and public services generally;

(g) local authorities and in particular areas of special landscape value or nature conservation interest;

(h) emergency arrangements

The Secretary of State for Energy announced the setting up of the Hinkley Point C public inquiry and appointed Mr Michael Barnes QC as Inspector on 21 March 1988. Following the pre-inquiry meetings in June and July 1988, the main inquiry into the CEGB's application to build a PWR at Hinkley Point in Somerset was opened on 4 October 1988 in the Main Hall of the Somerset College of Agriculture and Horticulture, Cannington, Somerset.