PROSPECTIVE Hinkley C developer EDF Energy has announced a four-week "Stage 2a" consultation after making changes to its preferred proposals for the new power station.

Having previously refused to bow to pressure from residents and local authorities for a third formal consultation, the company is keen the latest development is seen as an extension of the last formal round of consultation.

In a statement, a spokesman said the firm was reacting to feedback from local people and the results of "detailed studies".

"The fundamentals of the Hinkley Point C project remain the same, but the company has further developed the detail of the proposals and considered carefully views raised through consultation and continuing engagement with the local community and stakeholders, including the local authorities," he said.

The consultation will take place from February 25 to March 28 - although EDF will not publish the changes to its preferred proposals until the first day of the consultation period.

The company said the consultation would focus on "material changes" since the close of the stage two consultation, as well as "other matters on which the company welcomes further views on its plans".

Currently, the preferred proposals include everything from plans for a park and ride facility in Williton, to an on-site workers' hostel at Hinkley.

The stage two consultation was widely criticised by district and county councillors, who feared the adverse impacts of a new nuclear power station would outweigh any benefits it would bring to the local community.

West Somerset Council branded the power giant's plans as "unacceptable" and "completely inadequate" at the end of last year.

The council's planning manager Andrew Goodchild said EDF's second stage consultation had failed to address a whole range of issues and criticised the lack of evidence to support many of its claims.

He said EDF had shown a "lack of commitment" to mitigating the impact of the development, failed to understand the character of the area and provided a very poor standard transport appraisal.

There were also concerns over the concentration of workers proposed on the development site and councillors felt EDF had failed to address the impact the influx of construction workers would have on property markets and tourism bed-space in West Somerset.

In its defence, EDF said it believed around 5,000 Somerset people would find work on the site at some stage during the construction period, with up to 1,250 Somerset people employed at any one time.

Job opportunities would include construction, mechanical and electrical and civil engineering, as well as professional, administrative and support roles.

The company said the new power station would require 900 operational staff and anticipated that 95 per cent of those would live in Somerset.

In addition, two-thirds of the 300 trained technicians needed for the operation of Hinkley Point C would come through EDF's four-year apprenticeship programme.

The company said it would be investing £6 million into "local skills" to give residents the maximum opportunity to secure jobs and to fill current holes in the county's skills market.

Bob Nicholson, chairman of the Somerset Tourism Association, welcomed EDF's plans to have a new visitor centre on-site and said a thriving economy was crucial to maintaining the area's attraction for tourists.

Locall there are fears the construction of Hinkley C could decimate West Somerset's tourism industry as the expected influx of workers take up traditional holiday-let bed spaces for many years to come.

The need for accommodation could also put more strain on the district's already limited housing stock.

EDF will be holding a series of public exhibitions as part of the latest consultation to provide an update on the changes.

The dates for the public exhibitions are: Saturday, February 26, Danesfield Middle School, Williton, from 12 noon to 4pm; Wednesday, March 2, Victory Hall, Stogursey, from 2pm to 8pm; and Friday, March 4, The Main Hall, Bridgwater College, Cannington from 2pm to 8pm.

Richard Mayson, EDF Energy's director of planning and external affairs for nuclear new build, said: "Our first and second stage consultations gave local communities and other interested stakeholders the opportunity to comment on our proposals.

"We have listened to those views and revised our plans in a number of areas. We encourage people to see what changes have been made and we look forward to hearing local views."

More information and a consultation document providing an update on the proposed changes will be available on the website http://www.edfenergyconsultation.info">www.edfenergyconsultation.info.

People will be able to have their say either at the exhibitions, by emailing [email protected]">[email protected], by writing to Freepost Consultation Response (no stamp or further address required), by calling in to EDF's offices at 14 King Square, Bridgwater, TA6 3DG, or by telephoning 01278 444 600 or freephone 0800 169650.