Somerset Council has determined that the proposed 1,000-bed workforce campus for the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station, located near junction 24 of the M5 motorway, will have no significant environmental effects. This marks the approval of the initial planning phase, clearing the way for further development.
As construction at Hinkley Point C accelerates, the workforce is expected to peak between 2026 and 2028 with up to 15,000 workers on site. To support this, NNB Generation Company (HPC) Ltd. has proposed the new campus to provide additional accommodation within convenient reach of both the motorway and existing park and ride facilities.
Previously, EDF Energy operated two dedicated employee campuses at the Sedgemoor site on Bath Road and adjacent to the power station itself. Many workers have also been housed in temporary campsites, such as Quantock Lakes and Moorhouse Campsite. The planned new campus on Notaro Way will complement these facilities while easing travel demands.
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The site lies south of Buttercup Nursery School and Lakeview Holiday Cottages, with visibility from the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal towpath near Huntworth Lane bridge. The campus will consist of modular two- and three-storey accommodation blocks, delivering approximately 1,000 beds. It will include communal amenities such as a restaurant, kitchen, bar, shop, gym, multi-use games area, and office spaces.
Transportation plans feature a dedicated bus pick-up and drop-off zone at the junction with Notaro Way, enabling residents to efficiently access existing park and ride services without the need to cross busy areas. Parking provisions include 700 car spaces, 200 cycle racks, and 15 motorcycle spots. The campus is designed as a temporary facility expected to operate for up to five years, after which the land will be restored to its original state.
The planning approval issued by principal planning officer Amelia Elvé confirmed that the scale and location of the development do not warrant a full environmental impact assessment (EIA), as any potential impacts can be effectively mitigated with appropriate measures. Notably, the site is outside the sensitive Somerset Levels and Moors catchment area, removing the need for phosphate mitigation efforts.
While this screening approval clears the major environmental concern, further detailed proposals for the campus are anticipated by Christmas 2024. At the same time, Somerset Council is also reviewing final plans from Welcome Break for new services at junction 24, with decisions expected by the end of the summer.