HINKLEY Point is one of 11 sites in England where new nuclear power stations could be built, it was ann-ounced on Wednesday.

EDF Energy – the company interested in building two new reactors at the site – nominated the location at the end of March.

The Government has given its initial approval to the plans. A month-long public consultation period now commences.

Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband said: “This is another important step towards a new generation of nuclear power stations. I want to listen to what people have to say about these nominations and I encourage people to log on to our website, read the information and let us have their comments.

“Nuclear power is part of the low carbon future for Britain. It also has the potential to offer thousands of jobs to the UK and multi-million pound opportunities to British businesses.”

Nine of the locations have previously been home to nuclear reactors – including Hinkley – while two others are close to the former Sellafield reactor site in Cumbria.

The Government wants the first reactors operational by 2018.

Once the consultation is over it will be up to developers to take forward any specific proposals to construct new nuclear power stations through the planning process, involving further consultation.

The proposals form part of the Government’s plan to build a new generation of nuclear power stations to help close what has been described as a “generation gap'” expected as existing nuclear and coal-fired stations shut down.

Last year the County Gazette reported that the district could benefit from a double jobs boost.

If EDF’s vision of constructing two nuclear reactors comes to fruition, there could be a peak of 4,000 short-term jobs plus 700 permanent posts.