A PARK and ride facility for Hinkley Point C staff could be removed in a matter of weeks if planning permission for the site is not extended.

EDF Energy was granted permission in March 2017 to use part of the Quantock Lakes facility within Inwood Farm near Nether Stowey as a park and ride for staff until its Cannington park and ride facility was up and running.

The permission for the Quantock Lakes site – which can hold up to 160 vehicles – has been extended twice since this date, with EDF now applying to keep the site open until September 2025.

However, the site could close if Sedgemoor District Council does not grant permission for the extension before the existing time limit runs out on September 19.

The site lies on the northern side of the A39 a short distance outside Nether Stowey, on the edge of the Quantock Hills area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB).

Bridgwater Mercury: Aerial View Of The Quantock Lakes HPC Park And Ride Site Near Nether Stowey. CREDIT: Google Maps. Free to use for all BBC wire partners.

In addition to this site, there are five other park and ride locations currently being operated for the Hinkley workforce:

  • The Sedgemoor Campus on the A39 Bath Road in Bridgwater
  • The Dunball roundabout near Junction 23 of the M5
  • The Huntworth roundabout near Junction 24 of the M5
  • The A39 Main Road in Cannington
  • The Washford Cross roundabout near Williton

Rachel Lister, the HPC transport planning lead officer, said retaining the Quantock Lakes site would ease pressure in the local road network.

She said: “The site continues to provide a key park and ride facility for the HPC project, enabling only local construction workers who do not live within 800 metres of a HPC bus stop to park and then travel to the HPC site using dedicated bus services.

“We are therefore submitting an application for the temporary planning permission to be retained until December 31, 2025.

“Retaining the use of the park and ride, would continue to support the HPC construction workforce travel plan, assist in providing contingency parking to minimise fly parking occurrences in local areas such as Nether Stowey, Stogursey and Cannington, and cater for the additional workers that are required between now and the end of the HPC construction.

“This site prevents a HPC worker driving a further distance backwards to Washford Cross park and ride or towards Cannington park and ride, thereby reducing the number of vehicle movements by car around Williton and Cannington.”

The council is expected to make a decision by September 11 at the earliest.