30th September 2008

The Gloucestershire Green party have welcomed a five year Cardiff University study released half an hour ago, that shows only qualified support for nuclear new build in communities near potential sites.

 
The report, based on thousands of interviews, shows despite overall support for new build at Oldbury (50% for and 31% against) there is a clear ambivalence towards nuclear power in over one third of supportive local residents (38%). 

Many of these residents want to see climate change and energy security issues addressed but see nuclear as risky and could easily change their mind on local new build. The substantial group who are totally opposed to nuclear reactors nearby feel the risks far outweigh the advantages, distrust the industry and government on the matter and prefer renewable energy. The vast majority, 84% of local Oldbury residents said they want proper local consultation by the Government and industry on plans for new build, which would be undermined if local concerns were not fully taken into account. The study's authors suggest the industry cannot be complacent over support they assume will be there. This support is tentative and could be eroded, considering the combined weight of those opposed and those who are ambivalent.

Cllr Philip Booth, a Gloucestershire Green party spokesperson said: "The nuclear industry must be disappointed with these results as they show only 50% of people living around Oldbury are supportive of a new nuclear reactor on the site - and even amongst those there is ambivalence. Indeed when people know the real risks and facts we are likely to see opposition grow stronger. The Government's own figures show nuclear is not the answer for climate change and their advisers, the Sustainable Development Commission, have concluded that a combination of increased energy efficiency, renewable sources and clean coal could better meet future energy needs. Why on earth are we going down the nuclear route when all sanity says otherwise?"