Tourism chief attacks EDF over closed holiday camp mitigation

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 11:24 · Archive

Somerset tourism leaders have criticised EDF Energy's handling of mitigation funding following the closure of Pontins Brean Sands to house nuclear plant workers.

The Pontins Brean Sands holiday camp, located in Brean, Somerset, has been closed to the public since late 2022 and is currently housing approximately 900 workers from the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station construction site.

When EDF Energy agreed to use the site, it pledged to deliver mitigation funding to offset the park's closure and the resulting economic impact on local businesses that depend on seasonal tourism trade. EDF has invested £2m in refurbishing the site and provided interim funding for advertising and free beach parking. However, Alan House, chairman of Discover Brean, argues this is not enough to 'provide the certainty needed to plan Brean's tourism recovery'.

House addressed Somerset Council on 7 October, calling on the executive to intervene in what he termed EDF's 'continuing failure' to resolve tourism mitigation. He asked the council to force EDF to provide details of additional mitigation measures as soon as possible, or trigger legal action. The council said it was concerned about EDF's 'lack of urgency' but added that many issues surrounding the site were outside its control.

Under a legal agreement signed in March 2023, EDF and the council must 'discuss additional measures' of mitigation if the holiday park remains occupied after December 2025.

How it is being reported

• Tourism bosses say EDF 'failing' them over PontinsSomerset tourism bosses say more needs to be done to mitigate the use of Pontins by Hinkley workers.BBC Somerset · 9 Oct, 11:05
• Somerset tourism boss slams EDF over use of Pontins sitePontins Brean Sands has been occupied by Hinkley Point C workers for nearly four years - but additional funding to mitigate this has not been agreedSomerset County Gazette · 9 Oct, 05:00

In this story: EDF Energy · Somerset Council · Pontins Brean Sands · Hinkley Point C · Alan House · Discover Brean · Brean

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