A new power station may be built at Bradwell to replace the current nuclear plant which is due to close in 2002- but the idea has prompted a mixed reaction.

The debate has been sparked by remarks made by chairman of British Nuclear Fuels, Hugh Collum, who was speaking at the fifth Nuclear Congress last week.

He said: "It is no exaggeration to say that BNFL and nuclear power are at the crossroads. Long term decisions with an impact on generations to come must soon be made about our industry.

"Our existing Magnox sites are all linked to the grid and are in communities where the population understands and is familiar with the concept of nuclear power. The time for critical decision making is over the next five years."

But a spokesman for BNFL said later that the redevelopment of Bradwell was somewhat premature and the chairman had simply been opening a debate on the future of the nuclear industry in general.

Val Mainwood, spokeswoman for the Shutdown Bradwell Campaign, said they would fight "tooth and nail" against any new nuclear power station at Bradwell. She said: "It is outrageous that BNFL are considering landing the people of Essex with another nuclear power installation.

"I want to see how it copes with the old waste before plans for a new plant. There are vast problems with decommissioning and dealing with nuclear waste and they should be centring all their finances on that with minimum risk to public health.

"To say people will not mind another one shows how much the company is out of touch with the feelings of people who live nearby."

But Maldon and East Chelmsford MP John Whittingdale said at present the idea is speculative and could be some 20 years away.

He added: "The existing power station has been very good for the local community, both in terms of employment and income. I believe there is a long term future for nuclear power in Britain and in principle welcome the possible prospect of a new power station." He added that precise details would need to be looked at very carefully and be subject to public consultation.

Maldon District Council chief executive Tony Plumridge said the infrastructure for supplying power at Bradwell is there. The council is looking at the future of the area and one option for it is the generation of power.

He said: "Within reason - if it will create employment and was environmentally acceptable - obviously we would have no objection, particularly if it was a fuel which was efficient and a sustainable energy source."

Southminster member, Cllr Brian Beale, who also sits on the Bradwell Liaison Committee, added if anything is planned there should be full public consultation and it should be fully investigated. He said: "We need to keep employment levels up in the Dengie Hundred. There needs to be total consultation and understanding on the impact on this area."

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.