The first stage of NuGen’s public consultation on early-stage proposals to develop a new nuclear power station in West Cumbria has drawn to a close.

The 10-week programme finished on Friday after 26 consultation events. 

More than 1,700 visitors had their say on NuGen’s plans for opening the three-reactor Moorside plant, on land near Sellafield.

The stage one consultation covered broad locations and search areas for associated developments, and the approaches NuGen will take in delivering the largest private investment West Cumbria has ever seen.

Fergus McMorrow, NuGen’s planning lead in Cumbria, said: “We have had a fantastic response to our consultation.

"The numbers of people through the doors, and those logging on to use the online portal, has surpassed all our expectations.

“It’s not just the sheer number of visitors that’s impressed us, but their level of interest and engagement.

"For example, we’ve had lots of people come back to see us on several occasions to find out more information or to give us greater in-depth feedback."

NuGen will now begin to collate and process all the feedback received during the consultation and will take all the responses into account when developing its proposals.

These proposals will form the basis of the second stage consultation which is scheduled to start in May 2016.