"A LANDMARK deal for the people of Somerset" is how EDF Energy director Richard Mayson has described the funding package promised for the region as part of his company's bid to build a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point.

As reported in last week's Free Press, the cash pot - calculated at £30 million by EDF - will help to offset the impact of EDF's site preparation works at the proposed Hinkley C site near Stogursey.

Although planning permission for the work was granted last summer, no work could begin and not a penny could be released until major landowner Lady Elizabeth Gass agreed to sign a legal document tying all parties into the development plans.

She finally signed last week and Richard Mayson, EDF Energy's director of planning and external affairs for nuclear new build, hailed the deal as a "landmark" for the county.

"We are proud to be part of the local community and conscious of our responsibilities.

"We are very aware of the impacts the preparatory works will have on the local area, so we have worked very hard with the local authority to identify and mitigate the impacts and bring forward improvements to local services and facilities for residents in West Somerset and beyond.

"We are aware of our responsibilities and the councils also have a duty to ensure that the funding is effectively deployed to achieve the desired effect," Mr Mayson said.

Support for local housing, leisure facilities, transport and local ecology schemes are just some of the ways local residents will benefit from the £30 million package.

The site preparation works will include fencing, drainage, excavation and earthworks on a grand scale - but EDF maintains its programme of works has been carefully planned to keep disruption to local communities to a minimum.

It estimates up to 150 new local jobs will be created as part of a contract signed with construction firm Kier Bam who will undertake the preparatory works.

Work is expected to start in February, building up to the major earthworks later this year.

The funding will pay for a wide range of measures for Somerset residents including:

l A £4 million fund for housing and the creation of an accommodation office to provide a service to local people and businesses who wish to offer accommodation to the future construction workforce.

l £2 million to bolster local leisure facilities, with Cannington, Stogursey and Bridgwater each earmarked to receive £500,000.

l Over £4 million to support local skills and training.

l Over £1.8 million to support services provided by the local authorities.

l Transport improvements at Washford Cross and Sandford Hill roundabouts, the junction of A39/A38 Taunton Road and traffic calming measures in Cannington.

l Over £1.8 million to improve community safety.

l £7.2 million for community impact mitigation, including £500,000 each for Stogursey, the parish closest to the site, and Cannington, £2 million for West Somerset District and £1 million for Sedgemoor District.

l £250,000 to create ecology habitat.

l Over £600,000 to support economic development.

l £300,000 to provide educational resources and inspire interest in science and technology.

l £60,000 to support local health services.

l £450,000 to mitigate any impact on local archaeology.

l £610,000 to pay for landscape and visual improvements near the construction site.

l £700,000 to support local tourism. 

EDF Energy will set aside a separate fund to ensure that the site can be reinstated in the event that the Infrastructure Planning Commission does not grant full planning permission for the power station.

Mr Mayson said the planned power station was a project of national significance and would provide low carbon electricity for five million homes.

The IPC is expected to make its decision later this year.