Protesters fear they won't be heard over nuclear plans near Bristol

A silent protest was held by campaigners who are fighting plans for a new nuclear power station near Bristol.

A group wearing tape over their mouths gathered outside Thornbury Leisure Centre to demonstrate their claim that they were not being heard.

They met as about 200 people turned up for a debate into whether land next to the existing Oldbury nuclear power station, near Thornbury, was suitable for a new generation of reactors.

The 370-acre (150-hectare) nominated site at Shepperdine – three times the scale of the area occupied by the current 40-year-old Magnox station – is one of 10 around the country that could potentially be developed for another atomic power plant.

People were invited to the debate to listen to and question officials from the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) about the suitability of Oldbury for the controversial scheme.

But despite assurances that all comments would be taken on board, many of those attending said they feared a decision had already been taken and consultation would make no difference to the outcome.

The Government said it had included all 10 sites in its national policy statement to ensure enough were available for development to meet the energy levels that nuclear would provide.

But Northavon MP Steve Webb asked how, if it had already been decided that all were needed, people could influence whether Oldbury was the right site.

Peter McDonald deputy head of the Office for Nuclear Development, told him: "Some of the sites could be removed. It is not a done deal."

Richard Marriott, DECC's head of waste and decommissioning, said the department was aware there was an issue locally over the height of up to four cooling towers that could be required at Oldbury – each up to 200 metres (656ft) tall.

He said Oldbury was unique among the 10 potential sites in not being positioned where there was enough water for direct cooling, making it the only one where cooling towers were being contemplated.

The department has also accepted that the towers would be visible from parts of the Wye Valley and Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Jon Buckingham, of Shepperdine Against Nuclear Energy (Sane), said: "It's clear the Severn Vale is inappropriate for this development. The present station will look like a country cottage compared to what is planned."

Matthew Riddle, South Gloucestershire councillor for the Oldbury and Shepperdine area, asked: "What will be the effect on other areas of improving flood protection?"

Mr Marriott admitted that radioactive waste would have to be stored on site if there was still no suitable disposal facility in place by the time any station opened.