THE proposed new development at Hinkley Point Power Station needs to give more to the community, according to West Somerset councillors.

Andrew Goodchild, the district authority's planning manager, said EDF's current proposals are “woefully short” of satisfying some of the council's major anxieties.

Mr Goodchild said: “We have a duty to our communities to explain to government and to EDF Energy that we still have very significant and unresolved concerns about the proposals in their current form.”

Councillors said the plans lack sufficient long-term benefit to the area or adequate compensation for negative impacts.

They called for investment in infrastructure and permanent housing and backed plans for a park and ride at Smithyard terminal.

Concerns about the number of jobs likely to be created for Somerset were also expressed.

At a full council meeting, the councillors voted to lodge these continued concerns in response to the latest proposals from EDF Energy.

The deadline for the final round of consultations was Monday.

EDF energy has already said it will provide £100 million of community investment and at least 5,000 jobs.

A spokesman for the company said EDF looks forward to continuing to work closely with local authorities as they prepare to submit their planning application to the Infrastructure Planning Commission.

Cllr Ken Maddock, Leader of Somerset County Council, said good progress has been made since the last round of consultations but added “EDF still has some way to go in getting the proposals up to scratch”.