WITH French energy giant EDF primed to make a final decision on Hinkley C today, West Somerset District Council insist the area is ready for the new nuclear power station.

After months of delays EDF is due to hold a board meeting in London today where it is expected to make a Final Investment Decision (FID) on the £24 billion nuclear power station, which will be Europe's largest construction site.

News of the FID comes as new chancellor Philip Hammond pledged his backing for the project, saying the new Government 'must make sure' it goes ahead.

Having granted planning permission for the site to be prepared in advance of the main construction in 2012, the council has been busy over the last four years ensuring that opportunities arising from the project benefit local people, businesses and communities.

Dozens of community-led legacy projects – large and small – are already benefiting from funding released through the Hinkley Point C agreements, including the recently opened Boat Museum and Visitor Centre in Watchet.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Anthony Trollope-Bellew said: “West Somerset Council as the host authority of the project very much welcomes the news regarding EDF Energy’s Board looking to make its Final Investment Decision.

“The opportunity for our communities, our people and our businesses is enormous and we look forward to the remobilisation of the HPC workforce during 2016.

“The Council has been working alongside a host of partners, including EDF Energy, to ensure that the area is ready to host the project and that our businesses and communities are well placed to take advantage of the huge opportunity. We are already seeing local companies winning contracts; local people benefiting from training and employment opportunities, gaining qualifications - all adding real value to the local economy.

“We have already funded some great projects in key communities, including Stogursey, Williton and Watchet, using financial contributions secured through the planning process that will serve our communities as they host the project during construction and leave a lasting legacy for the area.”

Community projects funded to date that will bring real grass roots benefits to West Somerset include:

• A total of £1,000,000 towards the redevelopment of the Victory Hall in Stogursey providing additional sports facilities and meeting space for the host community for Hinkley Point C

• £243,000 of financial support to the recently opened Boat Museum and Visitor Centre project in Watchet; recognising that the Boat Museum will attract visitors and benefit tourism across West Somerset.

• £320,000 of funding to support the Williton Pavilion project. The initiative will provide a much needed building in Williton, where the community will be able to access sports, leisure and social activities and attend community events. The funding allocated has helped the project draw significant additional funding into the area.

• £90,000 of funding towards a village play area in Stogursey which has been open for over a year.

Cllr Chris Morgan, the Council’s lead member for Energy Infrastructure and ward member for Quantock Vale including Stogursey that will host the project, said: “I am pleased that at last EDF Energy’s Board is looking to make the decision that will take the Hinkley C project forward. It will open up opportunities for employment to local people, as well as training and education prospects well into the future.

“We do, however, have to give consideration to those people living closest to the construction site who will be facing many years of extreme disruption, and doing as much as possible to mitigate the impacts of the development.”