Permanent housing rather than temporary camps are in the pipeline for thousands of workers set to build the proposed Moorside power station, a nuclear chief has revealed.

Gary Shuttleworth, the corporate affairs director with Moorside’s developer NuGen, told the NNLAG conference that “creating sustainable legacy solutions” are its priority for the multi-billion-pound development, planned for land next to Sellafield, and its associated housing and transport links.

The firm’s previously-revealed proposals for temporary student-style villages for up to 4,000 workers, earmarked for Mirehouse, Corkickle and Egremont, have been criticised in some quarters.

Giving an update on NuGen’s current accommodation plans, Mr Shuttleworth said: “Using and refurbishing social housing stock and new-build developments are integral to our plans; they could be converted from worker housing to family homes after their use.

“In this sense, people would be integrated into the community.


Gary Shuttleworth “Having temporary accommodation would miss the opportunity of integration.

“We do not want a sphere that sits outside the community.

“Working with social landlords and private developers, we want instead to enhance the sense of pride in the community, and communities to grow in a cohesive way.”

Copeland mayor Mike Starkie said: “I have emphasised to NuGen from the very start that I want to see permanent accommodation – not temporary.

“I do not want shanty towns and nor, I am sure, do our residents.

“What we do want is to see clear plans, good quality buildings and a lasting legacy for future generations.”