Call for more time for N-plant link road

The firm behind a planned multi-billionpound nuclear plant has asked for more time to carry out significant improvements to a 16 kilometre stretch of road linking the development with the A55.

In July 2018 Anglesey Council’s planning committee approved the plans which include widening and putting down a new surface on the A5025 between Valley and Llanynghenedl, Llanfachraeth and Llanrhuddlad, and Cefn Coch to the proposed Wylfa Newydd power plant site.

But with the project officially on hold and a UK Government decision on a Development Consent Order (DCO) not expected until at least September, developers have now asked to extend the condition ruling that work would have to start within two years.

In its submission, Horizon Nuclear Power acknowledged the “suspended state” of the project but noted its commitment to securing the DCO “in anticipation of these funding arrangements being realised and the project recommencing.”

The firm has asked to extend the planning permission from July 13 of this year to July 2023, describing the road improvements as “an integral component of delivering the project should DCO be granted.”

When approving the original plans in 2018, officers noted their satisfaction with the plans which, expected to take over a year to complete, would employ up to 125 workers during construction. But with a proportion of the work being specialist road construction, it was also anticipated that some of the skilled labour would need to be from outside the local area.

The plans include widening some sections of the road, including some sharp bends, with a new surface to improve its quality and extend its lifespan.

Twrcelyn ward Cllr Aled Morris Jones “welcomed” the new application, which Anglesey Council’s planning department will consider over the coming weeks.