Prime Minister unlocks land for new nuclear development in West Cumbria
PRIME Minister Keir Starmer has announced plans to unlock land at Moorside for new nuclear power generation following a year-long campaign by MP Josh MacAlister.
Writing exclusively for this paper, the Prime Minister revealed that land at Moorside will be freed up to be leased and marketed by a local development corporation to pave the way for a new nuclear power plant. This 'Pioneer Park' will seek to attract Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and the energy intensive industry they could power.
The news formed part of a broader announcement by the Prime Minister giving the go-ahead to other major new nuclear projects across the country ahead of the Spending Review. These decisions are also expected to benefit Cumbria through investment in the nuclear supply chain.
Campaigners say unlocking land at Moorside has been the biggest barrier to securing new nuclear power generation in West Cumbria since the collapse of the NuGen deal in 2018.
Josh MacAlister MP with Energy Secretary Ed Miliband during discussions about future nuclear use of the land at Moorside (Image: Submitted)
Cumberland's four MPs, the leader of Cumberland Council and the leaders of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and Sellafield Ltd set up the Cumberland Nuclear Future Board last year.
Multiple meetings have been held with Ministers to try to resolve the issues with use of and access to the land. Agreement has now been reached and work is underway to make the land available. A market engagement process with nuclear and other clean energy developers will be launched this summer.
Writing for The Whitehaven News, the Prime Minister said: "Cumbria has always been at the heart of Britain's energy story. From Calder Hall to Sellafield, this region has powered the nation with world-class expertise and a proud industrial heritage. "And with this government, Cumbria will be at the front and centre of our plans, this time building a clean, secure energy future. We're doing things differently. No more dithering or delay. We're backing builders, not blockers – cutting through red tape and making bold decisions to get Britain moving. "That means backing our nuclear industry not just in Sizewell or through Small Modular Reactors, but right here in Cumbria. It's why we're taking decisive action to unlock the Moorside site for a new clean energy development. "Whether it becomes home to a fleet of SMRs or another major clean energy project, it will be led by a local development corporation – working with industry, unions, and the community to deliver jobs, growth, and energy security. "This is more than a policy. It's a drive to restore pride, create high-quality jobs, and rebuild Britain's industrial base. Nuclear power, alongside renewables, is central to our plan to decarbonise the grid and end our reliance on volatile fossil fuels. "All of this shows that this government is serious about developing clean energy projects. We're ready to get Britain building again – with steel, with confidence, and with communities like Cumbria central to that."
Josh MacAlister MP on land at Moorside (Image: Submitted)
Josh MacAlister, the MP for Whitehaven and Workington, said: 'I made a promise at the General Election to do everything possible to unlock land at Moorside for new nuclear. Some people thought it was a dead-end or a cynical promise that would be broken after the election. It hasn't been easy, but we've done it.
'Having the Prime Minister's backing is a real vote of confidence in West Cumbria and our people and I know we will rise to the challenge.
'Now we have the government behind us and an agreement on use of the land we can motor ahead to deliver Pioneer Park at pace. I can't promise we will get new nuclear, but unlocking this land gives us our best chance since the collapse of NuGen.
'What I can promise is I will do everything in my power to secure our nuclear future. We deserve nothing less.
'I'd also like to put on record my thanks to my fellow MPs, Cumberland Council, the NDA and Sellafield for working together so constructively to get this over the line. When Cumbrians are united, there's nothing we can't do."
Markus Campbell-Savours MP, Michelle Scrogham MP, Julie Minns MP, Josh MacAlister MP and Cumberland Council leader Cllr Mark Fryer following a meeting of the Cumberland Nuclear Future Board with Energy Secretary Ed Miliband (Image: Submitted)
Cllr Mark Fryer, leader of Cumberland Council, said: 'A clean energy development at Moorside is great news for Cumberland and West Cumbria in particular as it would help grow and diversify our future economy.
'The main driver for me is generating enough power at Moorside, by whatever means, to attract industry and technology to Cumberland that will sustain our economy and create jobs for west Cumbrians long after the inevitable downturn in decommissioning at Sellafield.
'While I am open to all clean energy developments that benefit our community, new nuclear build, in the form of Small Modular Reactors, would unquestionably provide us with the most power capacity for the size of land being made available and give us our best chance of achieving our ultimate goal of attracting industry, technology and jobs into our community.
'The council is fully committed to working with the NDA to understand how we can deliver maximum value and benefit from the land at Moorside for the local community.'
Cllr Joseph Ghayouba, who represents Bransty on Cumberland Council, said: "This announcement is welcome news after years of jam tomorrow promised by Tory governments. This puts us in control of our own destiny for that site and I will be working with the MP and within the council to bang the drum for jobs and investment."
The plan also has the backing of Cumberland's other MPs. In a joint statement, Julie Minns MP, Markus Campbell-Savours MP and Michelle Scrogham MP said: 'We've all been part of the Cumberland Nuclear Future Board from the beginning because of the benefit that would be felt right across the area from new nuclear development in West Cumbria.
'We stand fully behind the plan to unlock land at Moorside and welcome the Prime Minister's backing to drive this forward at pace.
'We'll be working through the board to ensure Pioneer Park is a success and delivers real and lasting benefits from Carlisle to Barrow.'
Mr MacAlister is hosting a public meeting to discuss his plan for new nuclear in West Cumbria on Thursday, June 26 at 6pm in Whitehaven.
Anyone wishing to attend can sign up at joshmacalister.uk/meetjosh or by calling his office on 01946 458023 and leaving your full name and address. Venue details will be provided following registration.
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