A CAMPAIGN group fears the Blackwater estuary could be “trashed” if Chinese developers take over the Bradwell nuclear site.

Blackwater Against New Nuclear Group has spoken out after reports Prime Minister David Cameron is on the verge of signing a deal with the Chinese government allowing work to begin on a new nuclear reactor.

EDF Energy, which owns the site, has said there are currently no plans for work to start but the group remains concerned over the future of the site.

Chairman Andy Blowers said: “For the Chinese, this would be a showcase project which, if approved in the UK, would be used as a commercial launching pad for selling their reactors in other parts of the world.

“For the UK Government, it is a vanity project as it seems they will fall over backwards to bring Chinese investment into the UK. For the Blackwater estuary, it is extremely bad news.

“Basically, the estuary will be trashed if this goes ahead.”

Earlier this year, the group wrote to China National Nuclear Corporation, the China General Nuclear Power Group and EDF Energy to point out the “formidable obstacles” which would have to be overcome before new nuclear power could be brought to Bradwell.

Barry Turner, vice chairman of the group, added: “For us, the simple fact is the Bradwell site is totally unsuitable for a new power station no matter who the developer might be.

“The delicate Blackwater estuary cannot cope with the demands of a new nuclear power station without its effective destruction.”

The former power station is being decommissioned and will soon be mothballed as a nuclear waste site.