Bridgwater field could become storage site for Hinkley Point C

The site - located adjacent to Sydenham House, and known as Percival Yard - could become home to 200 shipping containers if plans are approved.

On behalf of the applicant, who owns the site, EDF Principal Planner Kath Haddrell explained the 'urgent' need to create storage spaces near to the power station.

"As the Hinkley Point C development is moving towards the peak phase of construction, with mechanical, electrical and heating colleagues coming on site, there is an urgent need for additional storage," she said.

"The proposed development, subject of this application, seeks to realise the positive benefits of Hinkley Point C as soon as possible through the additional temporary storage created off site, on a site already owned by EDF Energy and adjacent to Sedgemoor Campus."

It is proposed that the field would only be used for storage purposes for a period of four years, as the applicant is seeking temporary consent from Somerset Council.

If plans are approved, the 200 shipping containers would be stacked two-tall in two rows of 50, with each individual container spanning 40-feet-long - approximately 12 metres - by 2.4 metres wide and 2.4 metres tall.

On behalf of the applicant, Ms Haddrell added: "Planting of alder, birch and willow trees will take place within the grounds of Sydenham Manor (also owned by NNB) to protect the setting of the listed building and to improve the ground conditions of the manor house, as suggested by Mr Lidster."

Access would be via the junction on the Bath Road (A39) which serves the existing industrial estate, and is owned by the applicant.

The containers will be delivered to site in batches of six to ten over the next two years using HGVs, which would follow the same route to Hinkley Point C as the buses serving the adjacent Sedgemoor Campus.

For more information on the plans, search reference number 08/24/00123 on Somerset Council's online planning portal.

Public consultation on the plans is now open, and comments are welcomed until Tuesday, August 27.

Sedgemoor planning round-up

The following planning applications were received by Somerset Council between July 25 and August 1.

For more details, and to comment on applications, visit www.somerset.gov.uk/planning-buildings-and-land.

04/24/00006: Installation of UPVC windows and doors. Chantry Cottage, Church Road, Bawdrip, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7 8PD

08/24/00105: Change of use of ground floor from retail to hot food restaurant and takeaway. 2 Eastover, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 5AB

08/24/00113: Erection of 1.8m palisade fence and gates to provide security to parking area. Mariners Court, Mariners Close, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 5EG

08/24/00123: Temporary change of use of vacant land adjacent to Sydenham Manor, Bridgwater to B8 (Percival Yard) for 4 years. Land East of Railway line, North West of, Bath Road, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6

11/24/00047: Variation of condition 2 of planning permission application no. 11/23/00015 (Erection of 2 no. semi-detached dwellings and parking on site of existing (to be demolished)) to amend the approved plans listed in schedule A. Land to the North of, Clyce Road, Highbridge, Somerset, TA9

24/24/00008: Regularisation of use of former holiday let as a dwelling as per implemented planning consent 24/98/00012 through the provision of the required parking. 2 Oldmead Lane, Rooksbridge, Axbridge, Somerset, BS26 2TX

31/24/00013: Erection of extension to the North East elevation, porch to the South West elevation, attic conversion to include insertion of 12no. rooflights and internal reconfiguration. Fern Court, Rectory Way, Lympsham, Weston-super-mare, Somerset, BS24 0EW

37/24/00066: Erection of detached annexe. 5 Somerset Bridge, Bridgwater, TA6 6LN

37/24/00070: Erection of single storey extension partially on site of existing outbuilding (to be demolished), and erection of 3-bay detached garage. April Cottage, Farringdon Lane, North Petherton, Bridgwater, TA6 6PF

37/24/00071: Erection of a dormer extension to the (SW) elevation. 16 Parkfield Close, North Petherton, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 6QY

42/24/00015: Erection of a single storey side extension to the West elevation on site of existing (to be demolished). 26 Hillside Crescent, Puriton, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7 8AP

44/24/00010: Proposed single storey side extension and new pitched roof to existing garage. Nethercroft, Broadway, Shipham, Winscombe, Somerset, BS25 1UF

51/24/00010: Certificate of Lawfulness for the proposed rear PD extension. 45 Church Road, Wembdon, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 7RP

53/24/00013: Erection of a two-storey side (NE) extension onsite of existing (to be demolished). 32 Fore Street, Westonzoyland, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7 0EF

53/24/00015: Erection of a single storey annex with associated works, parking, and landscaping. 34 Standards Road, Westonzoyland, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7 0EJ

54/24/00010: Erection of first floor extension to West elevation. Darkfield Farm, Cossington Lane, Woolavington, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7 8HL

50/24/00043: Erection of a single storey (NW) rear extension and alteration to existing. Old Rhine Farm, Blakeway, Wedmore, Somerset, BS28 4UB