THE Stop Hinkley Campaign expressed ‘extreme disappointment’ at the news that plans for a new £16bn nuclear power plant in Somerset, came a step closure to fruition after the European Commission gave approval.

Stop Hinkley’s Allan Jeffrey said: “This deal is clearly illegal under European law; it will saddle UK consumers with the bill for paying huge subsidies for decades, and yet there are more cost-effective and safer ways of providing low carbon electricity or not using the energy in the first place.

“It is mind-boggling how the UK Government managed to convince the Commissioners to go along with this crazy plan without even the pretence of a competitive process.”

But the group vowed to continue its campaign to halt EDF Energy’s £16bn project.

Mr Jeffrey has appealed to EDF and the Government to research the future for solar energy and other renewable as well as energy storage.

He added: “The technology proposed for Hinkley Point C is well past its sell-by date.

“It’s time for Somerset to look to the future and develop a locally-controlled sustainable energy industry which doesn’t involve leaving a toxic legacy for our grandchildren’s children and which can tackle climate change and fuel poverty in a much more cost-effective way.”