Timeline - key dates

The process for the development of a new nuclear power station at Oldbury is hard to understand. This page attempts to set out the key points in the process, to explain their relevance and to highlight how you can have your say. 

First DECC consultation - finished

The first DECC consultation was conducted last year and a Government Response to that consultation has been issued. Having considered the responses received to this consultation and the outputs of the Parliamentary scrutiny process  the Government has made changes to the draft Energy NPSs and AoSs. The government is now re-consulting on the revised draft. 

DECC re-consultation on the National Policy Statements for Energy, including Nuclear

October 16th 2010 to January 24th 2011

The NPS is the DECC's definitive strategy for the fulfilment of the UK's energy needs for the foreseeable future. Any site that is listed in the NPS as an appropriate site for new nuclear development will have a presumption that the development will take place.

Getting Oldbury off the list in the NPS probably the best opportunity to stop Oldbury being developed as a new nuclear site. If you do not speak now, your opinion will not be taken into account.

IMPORTANT - this is a NEW process. Our assumption is that responses to the previous consultation will not be taken in to account in this process, as the have already been considered, so if you responded before, please respond again.

To respond to the consultation, please click here ...

Parliamentary vote on NPS

Spring 2011

Once the NPS is complete, it will be laid before parliament for scrutiny and approval. This will be debated in both chambers and MPs will vote on whether of not to approve it. 

Your MP should represent your views in Parliament, so write to your MP to make sure he knows your views (click here to find contact details). 

Planning application through the Infrastructure Planning Commission 

Horizon will need to apply for planning consent before building a power station. This application will not be heard by the local planning authority, but by a national authority, the IPC.

The IPC is a new body and its structure is under review by the Coalition Government. It is unclear exactly how the planning process will run under the IPC, but it is clear that there will be significantly less emphasis on local issues that stand against the national interest.