A MAJOR indication on the future of proposals for a new west Cumbrian nuclear site at Moorside could be coming in "the next few weeks".

Copeland Council's deputy chairman David Moore has said that details on the proposed funding formula for a new nuclear power plant at Sizewell in Suffolk are set to be put in place "within the next few weeks".

French company EDF are currently awaiting clarity from the Government on its position with regards to how it will approach supporting new nuclear power plants.

Mr Moore explained that a favourable position for Sizewell C could have significant consequences for reviving plans for a new nuclear site at Moorside near Sellafield.

"There are some decisions to be made shortly with regard to the funding of nuclear," Mr Moore said.

"We're expecting something on Sizewell very soon.

"Should the right announcements and the right funding formula be in place for Sizewell, we have an indication that EDF would also look with its consortia to consider whether Moorside is a site that could come forward.

"We are awaiting that funding model to come forward. It's expected within the next few weeks."

Mr Moore, who is also a Conservative councillor for Gosforth and Seascale, added that details on the framework the Government plans to provide for investment in newly-built nuclear sites will be outlined in a forthcoming white paper, the publication of which is set to come soon.

He said that the publication of this Government policy document will have a "massive impact on whether a large new build is a reality here or not".

The publication of the white paper had been delayed as a result of of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr Moore was speaking at last week's Copeland Council meeting, in which Labour councillor for Egremont, Sam Pollen, said that clarity from the Government on its funding position for new nuclear sites was "urgently required".

He added that Moorside and other nuclear projects have previously failed to get started "because of a lack of Government funding".

"Hopefully we get positive news as soon as possible," Mr Pollen said.

Mr Moore challenged Mr Pollen's position that direct Government funding was the key to nuclear projects being realised.

"For the Government, it's about setting the right framework for investors to invest," he said.

"It's not necessarily about the Government funding these projects, it's about setting the right environment.

"There are a large number of interested parties, pension companies for example, looking to invest in new nuclear because of the long term paybacks.

"They're just waiting for the Government announcement of the payback period, so that they can invest with some confidence.

"We're all looking forward to that. There is a lot of interest in the Moorside site. As a council, we're fully supportive of it."

Mr Pollen reiterated his position that "without Government support, these projects do fail.

"Hopefully the Government will step up to the mark," he said.

"That's why we lost the Moorside project last time, and why several UK new build projects have failed in recent years."

Copeland's Conservative mayor Mike Starkie also challenged Mr Pollen's conclusions.

"Moorside failed because the investor Toshiba ran into trouble in America, and pulled out," he said.