Concerns over the influx of new nuclear workers and there being sufficient health care facilities to cope with the population were raised during a public consultation day in Egremont.

The town is one of three sites, including Mirehouse and Whitehaven, where land has been earmarked to house contractors building the new Moorside nuclear power plant.

NuGen, the firm behind plans for the three-reactor plant on land next to Sellafield, is looking to house 4,000 workers when work begins in 2020.

There was a mixed reaction to the developments with people praising the potential employment opportunities while others expressed worries over health care, the number of workers arriving and roads.

Resident Margaret Trohear said: “A lot of questions need answered, we need better roads and an improved hospital.

“I’m 80 so it won’t affect me too much but I have grandchildren. I’m worried about the extra number of people.”

John Heron echoed concerns over health care. 

He said: “It’s a big upheaval but in general it seems positive. It will make a difference to Egremont and it should be good for the shops and pubs.

“I’m not against it, I just hope there is the infrastructure for health care with thousands of bodies coming in.”

In Egremont, the site earmarked is a 40-acre piece of land to the left of the A595 northbound, before St Thomas Cross Roundabout. Including 218 car parking spaces, it would house around 500 workers with space for 500 more.

“It’s a good idea but 50 years too late,” said John Hodgson.

“They just need to handle the amount of contractors sensitively and spread them out a bit.

“These people need to make sure we get a decent hospital, they’ve got to fight for it,” he added.

While Alan Irving, who lives at Carleton, said: “Originally a large part of lovely open countryside and prime agricultural land was included in the Egremont search area for workers’ accommodation, the impact on Carleton/Scurgill would have been horrendous, now it’s no longer the case so we couldn’t be more delighted.

“It’s good that NuGen have not only listened to our concerns but also acted upon them.

“They’ve now earmarked a smaller and more suitable proposed site.”

And Tony Lewis, who lives at Nethertown, said: “I’m more interested in the impact on the marine environment and whether there will be an increase in sea temperatures.

“My mind has been put at rest a bit today.”