CONTROVERSIAL plans to build campus accommodation in Williton for up to 200 construction workers during the development of a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point have been dropped following opposition from local people.

Proposals for a 350-space park and ride scheme in the village have also been scaled back in the face of opposition, while all traces of the facility will be removed if and when Hinkley C is built.

EDF Energy, the owner of Hinkley Point B and the developer behind plans for a new station, has also moved the southern limit of the main construction site further north in response to requests from nearby residents.

In addition, it has pledged to carry out "early woodland planting" to the south of the new construction fence and a landscaping bund.

The changes have been officially unveiled today (Friday) as part of EDF's second stage consultation on its "preferred proposals" for the development of Hinkley C.

EDF had been left in no doubt by Williton people, parish and district councillors about the unpopularity of its plans to build a hostel and park and ride scheme on one of two green field sites in Williton.

The French company had earmarked either land to the west behind Mamsey House residential care home or to the east on fields beyond Catwell as potential sites for the hostel and park and ride.

But yesterday (Thursday), the company confirmed no hostel would be built in Williton.

Richard Mayson, EDF Energy's director of planning and external affairs for nuclear new build, said: "I am determined that we will do our best to be a good neighbour.

"We will work with the community to minimise the impacts of the development and to ensure that our potential multi-billion pound investment delivers real opportunities for local people and businesses, as well as providing the nation with affordable low carbon electricity for five million homes.

"The views of local residents and businesses are important to us and a key element in the consultation process.

"The response and feedback we received through the first stage of our consultations has been very helpful in shaping our preferred proposals."

The company has also made a number of other concessions following its initial consultations.

These include:

l Concentrating accommodation campuses for workers in Bridgwater and on the Hinkley Point C development site.

l Focusing freight logistics facilities on sites near Junctions 23 and 24 of the M5 and at Combwich Wharf.

l Opting for the 'western route' for the Cannington bypass.

l Ditching plans for an accommodation campus and freight logistics facility in Cannington.

l Reducing the size of the park and ride facility in Cannington and making it a temporary facility for use only during the construction phase.

l Larger park and ride facility at Junction 24 of the M5.

Earlier this week, EDF revealed it would create an "apprenticeship skills hub" in West Somerset as part of its proposals and estimated the development of Hinkley C would be worth £500 million to the South West economy (see full story on page 5).

The 'preferred proposals' now form the basis for the second stage of the company's public consultation.

Mr Mayson said: " Our plans have moved on and are now more detailed so I do hope people will take part in the second stage consultation and share their views with us.

"We want to engage with as many people as possible in our plans for clean, affordable and secure nuclear power."

EDF wants to build two new generating units at Hinkley Point C which would be capable of supplying enough electricity for around five million homes.

Subject to the outcome of the consultations, the company hopes to make its planning applications for the project this coming winter.

More information is available on the website http://www.edfconsultation.info">www.edfconsultation.info