Tories call for vote on nuclear power stations

Monday, 9 November 2009 4:13 PM

By politics.co.uk staff

Plans to fast-track a new generation of power stations were met with some resistance today, after the Tories called for a vote on the issue.

The Conservatives support the plans but want a debate in parliament to give them democratic legitimacy.

Climate change secretary Ed Miliband unveiled the plans, including a list of sites deemed suitable for nuclear development, in the Commons this afternoon.

"In every area there will be people who wish to oppose planning applications," he said.

"Their voice must be heard. But saying no everywhere is not in the national interest.

"That is why we are reforming the planning system."

All new coal fire stations would require carbon capture and storage, Mr Miliband announced today, in a bid to reassure green groups.

Scientists and experts are likely to react cautiously to the proposals. Carbon capture technology has not been fully developed yet.

If the Infrastructure Planning Commission decides the schemes comply with policy statements, they can be introduced without reference to local decision making, according to new planning laws for major infrastructure projects.

"It does need to have democratic legitimacy, otherwise people will find this as an imposition they will rail against," Greg Hands, shadow climate change secretary told the Today programme.

The Lib Dems spoke out against the plans as a whole, however.

"A new generation of nuclear power stations will be a colossal mistake regardless of where they are built," said Liberal Democrat climate change spokesman Simon Hughes.

"New plants in the UK have never been built without massive cost to the taxpayer and a lethal legacy of toxic waste.

"Plans to sweep aside the remnants of local accountability in the planning system expose a government ready to override all objections as to where new sites will be built."

Green Alliance director Stephen Hale said: "Ed Miliband says the holy trinity is nuclear, renewable energy and carbon capture and storage. He's right on two counts, but spectacularly wrong on the first.

"Nuclear power will always cost more and deliver less than its advocates claim. The father and son will deliver if Miliband gets his policy right, but nuclear is the unholy ghost that will never keep its promises."

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