THE spectre of a Fukushima-type nuclear accident was raised last week at a Lydney meeting discussing plans to build a new nuclear power station across the Severn at Oldbury.

More than 100 people packed into the Annexe Inn on Thursday night heard Sarah Young and Barbara French of STAND (Severnside Together Against Nuclear Development) explain that the proposed nuclear development would not only be an eyesore that would transform the Severn estuary, but could pose a safety hazard to equal the recent nuclear disaster in Japan.

Sarah said she was a Lydney resident who had seen the plans at a consultation meeting called by Horizon, the design developers of the nuclear site, and was so appalled by what she had seen that she felt she had to start this campaign.

Slides were shown of an artist's impression of the site, supplied by SANE (Shepperdine Against Nuclear Energy).

John French and Sue Haverley said the proposed development was on a flood plain and was actually below sea level at high spring tides.

A report by the Government's own nuclear watchdog, Nirex, published in 2005, had foreseen the twin problems of rising sea levels and more extreme weather events affecting the Severn estuary and had concluded that a managed withdrawal from the site over the next 100 years was "probably inevitable".

Instead, she said, the government is ignoring its own report and proposing to build a massive new nuclear facility there, leaving highly radioactive material on the site for centuries.

James Greenwood told the meeting that in spite of the Government's insistence that new nuclear build was required to keep the lights on, it was perfectly feasible to phase out nuclear power and invest in cleaner technologies, including renewables, as had been proved elsewhere.

The last part of the meeting was thrown open to questions and opinions.

"The mood was overwhelmingly one of anger at the proposals and resolve to fight them," said John French later. "I am sure the success of Foresters' victory in overturning the government's bill to privatise the Forest of Dean has galvanised people into believing they can actually halt such crazy and dangerous proposals."

However a spokesman for Horizon said all the relevant factors were being taken into account and they were keen to involve local people in the consultation process.

Leon Flexman of Horizon said: "We are still in the very early stages of developing proposals for a possible new nuclear power station near Oldbury-on-Severn and no firm plans have yet been made.

"As our proposals develop we'll continue to hold community information events where local people can meet our team, ask questions and help shape our plans. We'll also continue to deliver our community newsletter to 15,000 homes on both sides of the Severn explaining our latest thinking.

"In the meantime, if anyione would like to ask any questions or find out more they can call our Freephone project information line on 0800 130 3125."

Questions can also be emailed to oldbury