Campaigners win permission for another hearing to challenge building of Sizewell C

Campaigners have won permission for another hearing to challenge the building of the Sizewell C Nuclear Power Station on the Suffolk coast.

A judge ruled Together Against Sizewell C's (TASC) arguments around the need for a desalination plant on the reactor's site should be looked at again.

They lost their initial challenge against the Government's decision to approve the power plant back in June, but will now be able to appeal the ruling.

Together Against Sizewell C (TASC) Chair Jenny Kirtley said:

"TASC are delighted by the appeal court's decision and welcome the acknowledgement that our appeal, challenging the Secretary of State’s approval of Sizewell C, has a ‘real prospect of success’...

“We thank our legal team for all their efforts and all those who have supported our campaign."

Paul Collins Chair of Stop Sizewell C said:

"Despite this legal challenge it is clear that Ministers have now ploughed over a billion pounds of taxpayers' cash into this risky damaging project. This flow of funding into Sizewell C should cease until our appeal against the lawfulness of the Secretary of State's decision is resolved."

French energy giant EDF, due to develop the project, previously said Sizewell C is expected to generate low-carbon electricity to supply six million homes.

Ministers have said the project would create 10,000 highly skilled jobs, with its go-ahead being welcomed by unions and the nuclear industry.

First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Rayo app.