A SERIES of public consultations surrounding the construction of a major nuclear facility in West Cumbria has drawn to a close.

NuGen has reported a "fantastic response" to the consultations which outline plans to develop a new nuclear power station in West Cumbria. 

The ten-week programme finished on Saturday July 25 and welcomed more than 1700 visitors during that time. 

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."

NuGen hosted 26 consultation events in various locations across the county including Barrow, Millom, Broughton, Bootle and Kendal.

One of the last events took place at Sellafield after NuGen announced a contract with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority which confirmed Moorside as a suitable location for the project. 

The development will see the construction of three AP1000 reactors which are expected to produce 3.4GW of low-carbon electricity - enough to cater for seven per cent of the UK's electricity demand.

The consultation provided a range of information including broad locations for the plant and highlighting areas for associated developments.

It also discussed the approaches NuGen is preparing to take in delivering what is the largest private-sector investment in West Cumbria. 

Now NuGen is set to piece together feedback from each of the consultation events and has said it will take all responses into account when putting together proposals. 

These proposals will then form the basis of the second consultation series which will begin in May 2016.

Mr McMorrow was delighted by the response the consultation events received and the level of interest people showed in the developments. 

He said: “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. 

"I’d like to thank everyone who has taken their time to come and see us and to have their say, they’ve made the last 10 weeks very informative and enjoyable.”