PROPOSALS for a new power station in Essex have been backed by MPs as a similar project in Somerset is given the green light.

Plans for a new power station at Bradwell-on-Sea have moved a step closer following the approval of a new £18billion nuclear plant in Hinkley Point in Somerset, which will be financed by both the French and Chinese governments.

Chinese state-owned firm CGN, which is helping to build the Somerset plant, has stated the approval means it is now “able to move forward and deliver” a new plant at Bradwell.

CGN agreed to a stake in Hinkley and to develop a new plant in Suffolk on the understanding the UK Government would approve a Chinese-led project at the Bradwell site.

In July, the Government, under new Prime Minister Theresa May, called for a review of the Hinkley Point C project, which led to speculation over the future of the Bradwell project.

But ministers say they have now reached a new agreement with EDF in relation to the Hinkley project, which will impose “significant new safeguards” for the future, and could create up to 25,000 UK jobs.

French firm EDF Energy, which is leading the project, said the talks would “provide a sound basis” for the Bradwell site.

Simon Burns, Tory MP for Chelmsford welcomed the news.

He said: “We have got to protect our energy supply and make sure we don’t lose any power.

“Our energy sources should be mixed.

“Bradwell over the past years was a provider of our nuclear energy and I see no problem with it starting up again with the next generation of nuclear power.

“There is also the potential that it could create jobs in the area.

“We have had a nuclear power station there before, on exactly the same site, and there was no (safety) problems with it.”

But the news has dismayed members of the Blackwater Against New Nuclear Group, which has been campaigning against a new power station at Bradwell.

A spokesman for the group said: “Bradwell is the site of an irrational and irresponsible dalliance with danger for us and the generations to follow.

“It seems that little, if any, attention has been paid to the fact that only 2.5 km over the Blackwater estuary from the new site lies Mersea Island with a resident population of about 7,000.

“Mersea would be right in the line of fire in the event of a nuclear accident or catastrophe.

“Experts have shown nuclear is not needed and it will commit the UK to an outmoded system of supply until the end of the century while eating up resources that could be used for renewables such as wind, solar, tidal and wave power.”

The group also raised questions over safety. It said: “The security concerns over allowing the Chinese to be involved in our nuclear industry are well known and have been ventilated by a number of experts and authoritative bodies.

“There is the fear the Chinese operator would have control over a substantial part of the UK’s electricity generating infrastructure. This is particularly worrying given the Chinese predilection for closed decision making rather than the open and transparent approach preferred by the UK.

“It is difficult to comprehend why the UK should be open to investment by Chinese interests in our nuclear capacity when it is perfectly clear the Chinese would not permit reciprocation.”

A CGN spokesman said: “We are now able to move forward and deliver much needed nuclear capacity at Hinkley Point, Sizewell and Bradwell with our strategic partners, EDF, and provide the UK with safe, reliable and sustainable low-carbon energy.”East Anglian MEP Vicky Ford, who visited Bradwell last year and has met with EDF, said she was encouraged by the news.

She said: “Nuclear will play a vital part to our long term energy mix and is key to the UK’s energy security strategy.

“I am pleased to see the Hinkley deal approved. which sets the scene for future progress in the East.“This deal with EDF underpins the strong Anglo French commitment to lead global excellence in the field of nuclear energy.”

She added: “Local concerns on the logistics of the building project including transport and housing will need to be addressed and it is vital that the UK regulators have the final say on all safety and environmental issues.”