CONSULTATION has opened on changes Hinkley Point B nuclear power station wants to make to its licence for storing and discharging radioactive materials.

EDF Energy-owned Hinkley B stopped generating power with its two advanced gas-cooled reactors in 2022 after 46 years of operation and is currently being de-fueled and working toward ‘fuel free status’ before decommissioning starts in 2027.

Now, EDF is asking the Environment Agency (EA) to remove some limits from the station’s radioactive substances environmental permit on the basis that the radioisotopes were no longer produced.

Environment Agency nuclear regulation group south manager Sally Coble said: “The proposed changes would more accurately reflect the reducing radiological hazard and risks from Hinkley Point B.”

Ms Coble said the Environment Agency was now running a public consultation until July 1 for people to have their say on the proposed licence changes.

She said consulting on the specific permit application changes would give people an opportunity to understand the proposed changes and have their say on future decision making.

Ms Coble said: “The permit controls the receipt and disposal of radioactive waste and imposes conditions and limits on radioactive discharges to the environment.

“We are encouraging people to learn more about the proposed changes and provide us with any information that they think is relevant to decision making.

“The EA will carefully consider all the relevant feedback received during the consultation, together with existing information.

“Our decision will be available on the public register by September 2025.

“Our engagement with the community around the Hinkley site will continue through our own ‘meet the regulator’ meeting, the site stakeholder group, and Hinkley C’s community forum.”

The Hinkley B application and its supporting documents are available to view through the Environment Agency’s website.

The Environment Agency is the independent environmental regulator for the nuclear industry in England.