A SOMERSET couple have applied for permission to provide parking and accommodation to Hinkley workers on land at their home.

Westward Planning, on behalf of Mr and Mrs Steward, have applied to Somerset Council for planning permission for the continued use of land for the parking of vehicles, as well as the provision of five touring caravan pitches for workers at the Hinkley Point C (HPC) power station site, near their property at The Bungalow, in Wick Lane, Stolford.

Vehicles have already been using the site and the accommodation and Somerset Council officers have requested they seek formal permission, the application said.

“The applicants at The Bungalow also use this site to park their personal vehicles on, so it is intended that any permission granted in relation to the HPC use would be on a temporary basis with the proviso that the use for HPC workers ceases once that period has elapsed, and that the use for personal parking remains in perpetuity,” the application said.

“The application seeks to regularise the use of land for this purpose, following a request from the council for the applicants to do so.

“It is emphasised that this site is solely used by those employed or contracted to work on construction of HPC and the application arises following a significant demand for off-street parking for workers at that site, and for the significant need for accommodation for them within the area.”

The documents said up to 20 vehicles are parked at the site, made up of HPC workers and their personal vehicles, with parking “entirely off the public highway”.

Thousands of workers are on-site at the huge Hinkley Point C project. Picture: EDF

“The parking and the five touring caravan pitches have been provided in order to help prevent so-called ‘fly parking’ (parking on the public highway by Hinkley workers) from taking place, and to (in a modest way) cater for the need for accommodation for workers at the site,” the application went on.

Arrivals at the site mainly occur at around 5:30am to 6am until 5:30pm. “There is no overnight parking, with the exception of the five touring caravan pitches,” the plans said. “It is the case that the clients know each of their customers personally, through their connections with the HPC project, and all have been vetted.”

A number of people have commented in support of the application, with one saying: “A very decent and community-minded use of land in support of a sizeable, environmentally-friendly and economically-beneficial project that Bridgwater and the surrounding area have the honour of hosting.”

Another added: “Brilliant idea. It will generate more income for the surrounding areas.

“It will also make it easier for travelling workers to attend the project and be beneficial for their welfare reducing travel times significantly.

“There is not enough space on HPC for car parking and this will fulfil that need.”

For more details, and to comment on the scheme, log on to somerset.gov.uk and search application reference 3/32/25/017.

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