Annual Monitoring Report Hinkley Point C April 2017 – March 2018 Contents Introduction 1 Background 2 Summary of Associated Development Work 2017-18 3 The Vision for the Project 4 Dillington Visions 4 The District’s Local Plan 5 Challenges 6 Mitigation Provided by S106 Agreements 8 Monitoring Mechanisms 10 The Transport Review Group 10 The Socio-Economic Advisory Group 12 Operational Fora / Groups 14 Changes to the Project during 2017-18 15 The Project Implementation Plan 17 Requirements Discharged 2017-18 18 Progress Towards the Delivery of the Dillington Visions and Compliance with the Local Plan: Accommodation 20 Community Well-being 27 Education, Employment and Skills 32 Economic Development 34 Conclusion 40 Introduction This report monitors and evaluates activity associated with the development of the new nuclear power station at Hinkley Pont C (HPC), a nationally significant infrastructure project (NSIP), with which Sedgemoor District Council has involvement and influence. The report covers the period 1st April 2017 to 31st March 2018. The development at HPC presents a unique set of opportunities and challenges. It is important that planning matters for the new nuclear development are not viewed in isolation but are considered within the context of the wider development plans for the District. The relationship between these two planning systems must be dynamic to ensure that the District is well placed to capitalise on the opportunities and respond to the challenges arising from the development. The Council works hard to ensure these systems can make and shape places that support local people and businesses and to drive out a positive legacy for the future. The diagram below illustrates the interaction between the two planning systems. 1 Background The new nuclear development at HPC will be the first such facility to be constructed in twenty years and is expected to generate low carbon electricity for six million homes over a sixty year period. Two nuclear reactors are being built at Hinkley Point on the West Somerset Coast and construction on this site will be supported by a number of associated developments, mainly located within Sedgemoor: Accommodation campus, Bath Road Park and ride facilities at Cannington, Junctions 23 and 24 of the M5 (and another at Williton in West Somerset) Cannington Bypass The refurbishment of Combwich Wharf Planning consent to prepare the site at Hinkley Point for construction was granted by West Somerset Council, via the Town and Country Planning Act (TCPA) process, on 27 January 2012. The application is available to view on Somerset West and Taunton Council’s website at this link: https://www.westsomerset.gov.uk/online-applications/ quoting the reference number 3/32/10/037. Site preparation works concluded on 16 June 2016. The construction of the power plant and the associated development is categorised as a ‘Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project’ (NSIP). In contrast to the TCPA process in which the local planning authority is the decision-making body, planning applications relating to NSIPs are assessed by the Planning Inspectorate and consent is granted by the Secretary of State in the form of a Development Consent Order (DCO). The application for the construction of HPC was submitted by EDF Energy in October 2011 and was published by the Planning Inspectorate on 28 December 2011. Following an examination period, during which the Council and many other organisations were consulted, the DCO was granted on 19 March 2013. Local Planning Authorities are responsible for discharging the requirements contained within the DCO and carry out a monitoring and compliance role with regard to the provisions set out in the Order. A copy of the DCO is available to view on the National Infrastructure Planning website at: https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/south-west/hinkley-point-c-new- nuclear-power-station/?ipcsection=docs The Final Investment Decision (FID) was made by EDF Energy’s Board of Directors on 28th July 2016, enabling the execution of all contracts and agreements required to construct the development. The construction and operation phases of the development have the potential to confer considerable economic benefits upon the surrounding area. A total of 25,000 jobs are expected to be created and EDF Energy hope to assign up to 64% of the value of construction contracts to UK companies. It is estimated that the development could make a £1.5 billion contribution to the local economy during construction and a further £40 million per year contribution during operation.1 Local authorities and their partners therefore need to devise and implement strategies to ensure that these potential benefits are realised. 1 Hinkley Point C Wider Benefits Realisation Plan, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, July 2018, p5 2 Workforce numbers at the peak of construction are expected to be in the region of 5,600 people and it is estimated that during this time, approximately one third of the workforce will be drawn from the local population.2 The percentage of local labour will vary across the implementation of the project depending on skills required, and this will be developed and monitored through the workforce development strategy. There will inevitably be a need to acquire labour from outside the area and the resultant influx of workers has the potential to put pressure on existing accommodation, transport and service provision. This risk has been mitigated through the Section 106 agreements. It is therefore vital that the Council and its partners, together with EDF Energy, carry out a range of agreed activity to ensure that the District is capable of supporting additional personnel without compromising the standard of living of the existing population or its attractiveness to investors and tourists. The highlights of the project since its inception can be found in appendix 1. A summary of Associated Development work 2017 – 2018 The Park and Ride near Junction 23 of the M5 is now open and works to signalise the corresponding motorway junction have been completed. Road improvement works at the Bristol Road / The Drove junction, which involved widening the right turn lane from Bristol Road into the Drove, installing a slip road from Western Way into Wylds Road and resurfacing works, have also been completed. These roadworks will improve the safety of pedestrians and cyclists and should help to improve traffic flow. The improvement at Bristol Road/ Wylds Road has not yet been completed and is subject to ongoing discussions about design and implementation. A proposal from EDF Energy on how they plan to manage this scheme has been submitted for consideration. On 5 March, Frederick Road was permanently stopped up at the junction with Bath Road to ensure that the entrance to the HPC accommodation campus is safe and to ease traffic flow. A new junction, controlled by traffic lights and filter lanes, will be created. Highway works associated with the Cannington Park and Ride facility are almost complete. 2 The estimated figure for the proportion of the workforce drawn from the local population at peak is taken from the HPC Accommodation Strategy 2011. It should be noted that the proportion of the local population employed at the site is likely to vary over the construction period, depending on the type of skills required. 3 The Vision for the Project The Dillington Visions While the project was in the early stages of design, Sedgemoor District Council, West Somerset Council, Somerset County Council and NNB GenCo (EDF Energy) signed a Planning Performance Agreement (October 2009). The agreement, led by Sedgemoor District Council, encapsulated the collective overarching vision and objectives for the development and can be viewed at this link: https://www.sedgemoor.gov.uk/hinkleypc . These were refined as the project began to take shape, to form the ‘Dillington Visions’. Reaching this consensus at such an early stage in the project has provided the Councils with some influence over the way in which the project would later develop, helping to establish a positive legacy and reduce negative impacts. This has been critical to avoid ‘boom and bust’ and to invest in places, educational infrastructure and the wider economy to sustain growth. A summary of the Dillington Visions are set out below. More detailed information can be found in appendix 2. Accommodation Vision: To ensure that the HPC development provides housing solutions that enable workers and their families to integrate into the community and be economically active at a local level, whilst making a positive contribution to the Councils’ Housing Strategies and their wider strategic planning objectives. Partners will work to ensure that the development does not adversely impact on the availability or affordability of housing for the local community. Housing solutions will meet environmental and safety standards and a housing legacy will be created that meets the needs of local people in a range of tenures that they can afford. Community Wellbeing Vision: To generate community cohesion and support the delivery of strategic objectives by implementing a comprehensive scheme of community wellbeing and safety measures, which take account of the needs of the communities of West Somerset, Sedgemoor and Somerset as a whole, as well as the needs and impacts of the HPC workforce. Measures will be implemented to promote health and wellbeing, contribute toward high quality leisure and religious facilities and to minimise crime and disorder. The community will be involved in the design, development and delivery of facilities and services. Education, Employment and Skills Vision: To ensure the HPC development maximises employment and skills opportunities for local people, whilst inspiring young people to achieve and seek to follow careers in the science, technology, engineering and manufacturing sectors. To support our community partners to tackle worklessness, by together creating pathways that provide opportunities for skilling, which lead to sustainable employment.