WEST Somerset Council's concerns over its finances and the implications of a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point went all the way to Downing Street this week.

Council leader Cllr Tim Taylor met EDF's top representatives in the UK at the House of Commons, as well as the Prime Minister David Cameron and Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Eric Pickles at a reception at Number 10 the following day.

He was able to highlight the authority's concerns about its financial stability and need to be treated as a special case.

He also made it clear to nuclear chiefs the district council would not be pressurised into taking hasty decisions if the full facts and figures were not forthcoming.

EDF Energy is planning to build two nuclear reactors at Hinkley Point and will be submitting an application for preliminary work to West Somerset Council in the near future.

Cllr Taylor met Humphrey Cadoux-Hudson, the firm's managing director for nuclear new build, and Richard Mayson, EDF's director of planning and external affairs, at the House of Commons with local MP Ian Liddell-Grainger.

"I would describe the talks as very positive and felt that EDF was responsive to the concerns that we have raised," said Cllr Taylor.

"If this development gets permission, our council will champion the economic opportunities that it will bring.

"However, we need to ensure through strategic talks that the wider implications are addressed at an early stage, if we are to ensure the most positive outcomes for residents and communities and our other main economic driver, tourism."

Cllr Taylor has openly criticised the energy company in the past, claiming it had ignored the views of local people and held an inadequate and incomplete consultation on its plans for Hinkley C.

He said he had impressed on both Mr Cadoux-Hudson and Mr Mayson the need for EDF to submit a robust application with all the relevant details to ensure informed decisions could be made.

He warned the council would not be pushed into making a hurried decision and would either delay EDF's plans by calling for further details or refuse permission for the preliminary works if the application was not deemed to be adequate.

"I have also impressed upon them the need to consider the broader impacts of this massive project and the potentially negative effects on the wider area," he said.

"For example, our roads and transport infrastructure must be considered if the normal commuter and visitor traffic is not to suffer and the implications for tourism and housing.

"We also discussed the imperative need to protect residents in the parish of Stogursey and the hamlets of Burton, Shurton and Wick, who will be living with this major development on their doorsteps for a decade or more."

Mr Mayson said EDF was working closely with both West Somerset Council, Sedgemoor District Council and Somerset County Council to address a raft of issues, including workers' accommodation and transport strategies.

"We will continue to work together to maximise the benefits to the local community and to limit any adverse effects as far as possible," he said.

"EDF Energy has committed to provide full details in the application for a development consent order we submit to the Independent Planning Commission."

The commission will take the decision on whether a new nuclear power station can be built.