West Cumbria's Moorside site should be included in Government plans for new sources of energy, its developer said.

NuGen has provided the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy with information to support the site being carried forward as a power plant site into a new policy statement.

The policy statement will define Government policy for development of new sources of energy from 2026 to 2035.

Officials asked all new nuclear developers to submit information about their plans.

NuGen took part, despite recently announcing it is conducting a strategic review to determine how best to proceed with Moorside, which is set to built on land next to Sellafield.

Around 100 staff and contractor jobs, including that of chief executive Tom Samson, are at risk under the restructuring plans.

NuGen, currently owned by Toshiba, said it was looking to reprofile the company as part of the review.

It said the prolonged time it had taken to seal the deal with Korean utility Kepco meant it needed to undertake the review.

Mr Samson said: "NuGen remains committed to delivering a nuclear power station at Moorside.

“Support for the policy process to carry forward the Moorside site is another opportunity for the community of West Cumbria to restate its desire to host this critical national infrastructure and bring a transformational stimulus to the local economy, including jobs and prosperity for thousands of people throughout the county."

The site, originally nominated through the Government’s strategic siting assessment in 2008, had its boundary changed to reflect the boundary consulted on at the second stage of public consultation in summer 2016.

Mr Samson added: “NuGen has conducted two stages of public consultation about its plans and thousands of Cumbrians have come forward to have their say.

"I’m happy to report that there is real, sustained support in the community for NuGen’s plans and we’re committed to continuing to work with the community.

“The local authority in Copeland has been a good critical friend - supportive of the project, but resolute in their ambition for Moorside to benefit all and for NuGen to deliver it in the right way for West Cumbria.

"At its AGM in May, Copeland Borough Council voted to maintain its support for the Moorside site and we are grateful for that, particularly at the moment, as NuGen and its shareholder Toshiba continue to work hard to bring new investment into the project.”