SIR — Timely as it is to be reminded by the deputy leader of Somerset County Council (Your Letters September 23) that Hinkley C is of national importance and that it will have a huge impact on the county, the South West and beyond, it would also behove everyone to remember (and occasionally actually acknowledge) the overwhelming contribution made to this project by West Somerset Council and its residents.

Not only are all the Hinkley power plants, including Hinkley C, located in West Somerset, but without the permission for the site preparation works being given by this council in 2011, the whole new build project may not have been able to proceed.

As host authority, West Somerset’s planning team also played a major part in negotiating the terms and conditions of the Development Consent Order, assisted by the county council and neighbouring authorities.

More importantly, it must not be forgotten that it is Stogursey parish and the residents of Shurton in particular who are paying the true price for the privilege of keeping the lights on for the rest of the country.

On a daily basis they live with the noise, dust and general disturbance from the largest construction site in Europe on their doorstep and the prospect of a 50-bed hostel just beyond their back gardens.

They also have to endure all the traffic for the new build - the lorries, buses and delivery vehicles plus all the traffic for the other two Hinkley stations passing through the parish on the C182.

Added to this the local roads are plagued by an increase of minibus traffic bringing HPC workers to the site.

These residents are indeed the “collateral damage” as recognised by one of the senior civil servants from DECC when he met with local residents on several occasions when this project was first mooted.

So please forgive me for being rather unsympathetic when residents of neighbouring towns complain of the traffic increases which they are experiencing as a result of HPC - just spare a thought for the community of Shurton.

Cllr Sue Goss,

Member for Quantock Vale,

West Somerset Council.