The National Grid has received more than 8,000 responses for its plans to connect Cumbria's proposed nuclear new build into the electricity network.

This feedback was received during a 10-week consultation exercise which saw National Grid send more than 85,000 newsletters to homes in Cumbria and Lancashire.

It also ran 30 consultation events along the proposed route of the new connection, which would transport electricity generated at the planned nuclear site in Moorside, near Sellafield.

A total of 8,070 responses were received.

Robert Powell, the project manager, said: “We are very grateful to the people who took the time to give us their views on our plans.

"We know that this project stirs strong passions but we have to bear in mind that, ultimately, the cost of it will be borne by every single electricity bill payer in the country and we have to think carefully how we spend their money.

“We will now take the time to carefully consider all the feedback we’ve received to see if there are ways we can modify our proposals. Our intention is to formally apply to the Government this year for permission for the new connection to be built. Of course we would not build anything unless the Moorside power station proceeds.”

When National Grid submits its planning application, the Planning Inspectorate will have 28 days to accept the application and decide if the company can proceed to the examination stage.

If this is successful, anyone who wants to be involved in the examination process will need to register their interest with the inspectorate.

Those who have registered their interest will be invited by the body to submit views in writing and may be asked to speak at public hearings.

The inspectorate will then hold an examination.

Once this has finished it has three months to make a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy about whether the application should be approved.

The Secretary of State then has a further three months to make a decision.

If approved, construction will start in 2019 so that it is completed by 2024 to meet first generation by Moorside.