WEST Somerset councillors have stood firm and voted to raise a raft of serious objections to EDF Energy's proposals for a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point.

The authority will now stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Sedgemoor District Council, whose members also voted last week to object to plans for Hinkley C.

Somerset County Council is likely to take a similar stance and cabinet members were holding a special meeting yesterday (Thursday) to finalise their response as the Free Press went to print.

West Somerset Council's planning manager Andrew Goodchild told councillors the adverse impacts of a new nuclear station currently outweighed the advantages.

Members agreed and at a special full council meeting last Thursday gave their support to a 721-page combined response from both West Somerset and Sedgemoor District Councils, which branded the power giant's plans as "unacceptable" and "completely inadequate".

But EDF remained defiant and while "thanking" the local authorities for their "input", it said a "significant" number of local people had recognised the benefits the development would bring.

In a statement released after the district council meeting, the firm said it had done everything it needed to do at this stage and pledged to continue to work with the local community.

A spokesman said more than 2,600 people had taken part in the stage two consultation and appealed for more to have their say between now and the deadline on October 4.

The company said its consultation was already recognised as one of the widest-ranging for a major infrastructure project and said if its plans were approved, it would generate huge potential benefits to the local economy and provide a lasting legacy for Somerset.

The statement said: "EDF Energy has reconfirmed its commitment to minimising any potential impacts from the plans including full and appropriate mitigation wherever possible and a suitable level of community benefit to ensure the most favourable outcome achievable for the people of Somerset."

Richard Mayson, EDF Energy's director of planning and external affairs for nuclear new build, said the firm would submit an application for Hinkley C "this winter" as planned.

He said the firm was still at the pre-application stage and would provide "full details" of its plans when it submitted its development consent order to the Independent Planning Commission, which would decide whether a new nuclear power station could built.

Mr Mayson said: "From the responses so far we know there is significant local recognition of the benefits the plant will bring.

"It will inject £100 million per year to the local economy during construction and £40 million per year during operation, as well as creating 900 permanent jobs.

"We thank the local authorities for their input on the areas where they want to see more detail.

"We will continue to work together with the local authorities and communities to maximise the benefits to the local area and to limit any adverse effects as far as possible."

But Mr 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, had failed to understand the character of the area and had provided a very poor standard transport appraisal.

Mr Goodchild said there was concern over the concentration of workers proposed on the development site and said EDF had not addressed the impact the influx of construction workers would have on local property markets and tourism bed-space in West Somerset.

He said the district councils were already working on their own alternative package of mitigation measures to offset the impact of the development, including a proposal to build up to 260 affordable homes in Williton.

The houses would initially be for construction workers before being signed over to local people.

An extra 500 bed spaces could also be created in Minehead as part of a lasting legacy for the tourism sector - although the idea had not met with a positive response from bosses at Butlins, the favoured site for the additional accommodation.

Councillors were told the proposals would negate the need for EDF to build a controversial 700-bed hostel on the Hinkley site and said construction workers should be integrated within existing communities instead.

Cllr Chris Morgan, a Stogursey representative, deputy leader and lead member for the environment, said it was "absolutely disgraceful and insulting" that no-one from EDF had attended the council meeting.

He said virtually every response EDF had provided was "wholly inadequate" and mitigation proposals were "beyond derisory".

"Suspicions arise because having no detail makes people believe there are details EDF don't want us to know about it.

"We need details to fully understand the implications on the people of West Somerset.

"Without it, we will have misery heaped on West Somerset. We didn't ask EDF to come here," Cllr Morgan said.

Cllr Bryan Leaker said he was wary EDF could promise the Earth, but deliver nothing, while Cllr Keith Ross said there was nothing in law to force EDF to offset the impact of the development with a cash-based community fund.

Council leader Cllr Tim Taylor said it was clear EDF was only proposing what it needed to do to enable it to build Hinkley C.

He said the firm had indicated it was willing to work with the authority but warned that without collaboration the council would have no choice but to formally object to an application for Hinkley C when it was lodged directly with the Infrastructure Planning Commission.

"We really have to keep the pressure on EDF and the Government to make sure we in West Somerset get a fair deal for what is a major, major project," Cllr Taylor said.

Anti-nuclear campaigner Crispin Aubrey, speaking on behalf of pressure group Stop Hinkley, told the meeting the impact of the development would be felt for generations to come.

"Radioactive waste will be stored on the site for an estimated 100 years after the power station stops generating electricity.

"That means for over 160 years from now," he said.

He said the plan was to eventually take Hinkley C's waste to a national geological disposal site, or "underground dump", but the Government had already been searching for a suitable site for 30 years to no avail.

Mr Aubrey said: "No permission should be granted for Hinkley C until at least a geological disposal site is up and running.

"What other proposal would be allowed to go ahead without a guaranteed way of disposing of its rubbish?"

Mr Goodchild said EDF's consultation document had not taken waste storage into account and had left the issue of an on-site store "open ended".

After the meeting, Cllr Taylor said it was vital EDF provided the necessary information to allow both the councils and local people to make informed decisions on its plans.

He said: "The proposed build is a major project that will affect the lives of people in West Somerset for more than ten years and we are seriously concerned that we cannot reassure residents that the impacts will be mitigated by the developer."

Residents can view and comment on EDF's plans by calling into the firm's offices at 14 King Square, Bridgwater during normal office hours or online at http://www.edfconsultation.info">www.edfconsultation.info