EDF Energy will be holding a series of public consultation events in the new year following the acceptance of its plans for a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point.

The national Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) announced at the end of last month that it would allow EDF's plans for Hinkley C and associated developments to go forward for consideration for a development consent order.

The decision effectively signals the start of a lengthy examination and decision-making process.

EDF Energy will be holding a series of public events to provide information about the application, however, all comments must be made to the IPC and not EDF Energy.

People who would like to get involved in the consultation process will have from December 2 to the end of January 23 to register with the IPC as "an interested party".

To help the process, as well as the IPC events featured in last week's Free Press, EDF will be holding its own public information sessions.

These will take place at:

l Danesfield Middle School, Williton, Saturday, January 7, 10am to 2pm.

l Bridgwater College (Cannington campus, main hall), Saturday, January 7, 10am to 2pm.

l Sedgemoor Hall at Sedgemoor Auction Centre, North Petherton, Monday, January 9, 4pm to 8pm.

l The Exchange, Bridgwater, Monday, January 9, 4pm to 8pm.

l Otterhampton Village Hall, Tuesday, January 10, 4pm to 8pm.

l Bridgwater Town Hall, Wednesday, January 11, 4pm to 8pm.

l Victory Hall, Stogursey, Wednesday, January 11, 4pm to 8pm.

A copy of the application form, draft development consent order, environmental statement, accompanying plans, maps and other supporting documents can also be inspected free of charge at the following locations from December 2 until January 23:

l EDF Energy Bridgwater office, King Square, Bridgwater, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, excluding public holidays.

l West Somerset Council, West Somerset House, Killick Way, Williton, Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 5pm and Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm.

l Sedgemoor District Council, King Square, Bridgwater, Monday to Friday 8.45am to 5pm.

l Taunton Library, Paul Street, Taunton, open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9.30am to 5.30pm, Wednesday and Friday 9.30am to 7pm and Saturday 9.30am to 4pm.

A copying charge may be made for the reproduction of documents.

All of the application documents can be viewed online at the project page of the IPC's website at infrastructure.independent.gov.uk/projects/south-west/hinkley-point-cnew-nuclear-power-station.

Electronic copies of the full suite of application documents can be obtained from EDF Energy on request free of charge.

Full details of EDF Energy's application and how to comment on it are available from the IPC's website at http://infrastructure.independent.gov.uk">http://infrastructure.independent.gov.uk

Alternatively, the IPC can be contacted at: Infrastructure Planning Commission, Temple Quay House, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS2 6PN; telephone 0303 444 5000.

All responses and other representations will be made public.