A variety of consents and permits are required to build Bradwell B. Permission to build a new station at Bradwell is applied for as part of a Development Consent Order application. Separately there is acceptance of the reactor technology proposed for use at Bradwell B (the UK HPR1000) under the ‘Generic Design Assessment’ process. These two key processes are explained below. More information can be found on our Consents and Permits page.

To build Bradwell B requires the granting of a development consent order. This is a special type of planning application for significant infrastructure projects, where an independent inspector is appointed to review our plans.

We are still in the early stages of developing proposals for Bradwell B, and as such do not expect to be in a position to submit an application for a while yet.

Once submitted, it can take up to 18 months for the inspector to review the application. They will then issue a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), who will make the final decision.

For more information, visit the Planning Inspectorate’s website: https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/application-process/the-process/.

The GDA process is used by the UK nuclear regulators (the Office for Nuclear Regulation and the Environment Agency) to assess new nuclear reactor designs. It allows the regulators to assess the safety, security and environmental implications of new designs, separate from applications to build them at specific sites.

We are currently at Step 4 of the GDA, which will include a detailed assessment of evidence submitted to-date, along with a consultation by the Environment Agency to seek views on its preliminary conclusions.

The Environment Agency’s consultation is now closed. The consultation documents remain available on their website: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/generic-design-assessment-of-general-nuclear-system-limiteds-uk-hpr1000-reactor

The separate GDA comments process continues. Comments can be made on the reactor design, safety and environmental aspects via www.ukhpr1000.co.uk.

The GDA process is targeted for completion in 2022.