Concerns over new nuclear plants

Cumbria is also the home of the Sellafield complex

A new nuclear power station should not be built in Cumbria until the question of how to dispose of deadly waste is resolved, county council bosses said.

Cumbria, which is already home to the Sellafield complex, is a favourite for any new nuclear facilities to help meet the UK's future energy needs.

But in its response to the government's Energy Review, Cumbria County Council has urged caution.

It wants a wider mix of energy creation without sole reliance on nuclear.

Previous studies have suggested up to 3,000 jobs would be created if a new nuclear facility was built in the county.

The nation can learn from our experience in dealing with the nuclear legacy left by a previous generation Tim Heslop, Cumbria County Council

But in a detailed response to the government's Energy review green paper, the authority said the question of disposal of nuclear waste needed to be determined before any commitment was made to build new nuclear power plants.

It called on ministers to encourage home-grown energy supplies and commit more resources to renewable forms of energy like tidal and wind.

The authority said: "The experience of the past 50 years, where decommissioning and waste management liabilities have not been recognised until recently, is not a sound basis on which to commence a new programme of construction.

"Safety has to be paramount and the government must ensure that commercial pressures on companies do not undermine the commitment of regulators and professionals within the industry for safe working."

Tim Heslop, the council's cabinet member for nuclear issues, said: "The nation can learn from our experience in dealing with the nuclear legacy left by a previous generation.

"But the government needs to determine its policy on the disposal of nuclear waste before making decisions on whether or not to construct new nuclear power plants."