PLANS to carry out investigation work for a proposed new nuclear power station at Oldbury-on-Severn have been submitted to South Gloucestershire Council.
The move by Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) comes as local politicians have been told a decision on whether to build a new Small Modular Reactor at the site, close to the decommissioned Oldbury Power Station, could be announced within weeks.
Land at Oldbury and another nuclear site at Wylfa, on Anglesey, was bought back for £160 million by the last government early last year.
GBE-N, a government “arms-length body” created to bring new nuclear power generating projects, announced during the summer that it had appointed Rolls-Royce SMR to build the new type of reactors – either Oldbury or Wylfa will now be chosen to host the first one.
GBE-N says a decision is expected “soon”.
In September it submitted a full planning application to the council to carry out ground investigations at the site.
A statement submitted with the plans says: “To facilitate the wider future development of the Oldbury-on-Severn site, it is necessary for GBE-N to now carry out site characterisation works.”
The works have two main parts – a “Terrestrial Ground Investigation Campaign” involving drilling boreholes and making and observation pits on the site, and a “Load Test Investigation” to investigate how soil at the site might settle.
Details of the application can be found on the council’s planning website by searching for application P25/02114/F.
Decision could be taken this month
It was made as GBE-N conducted a series of meetings with councils near the Oldbury site, including one with Rockhampton Parish Council.
The councillors said they were told a decision on the site “could be taken as soon as this October”.
They said: “The Parish Council are proposing to request a delay to the shortlisting decision process to allow for communication and discussion on key issues for local residents. We feel that the views of residents within the both of the affected areas around Wylfa and Oldbury should be factored into the final location decision process.”
The Department for Energy Security & Net Zero declined to confirm a date when a decision would be announced.
A spokesperson said both Oldbury and Wylfa are capable of hosting nuclear projects but added: “No decisions have yet been taken on any projects and technologies to be deployed at these sites.”
Sites both have nuclear future
A GBE-N spokesperson said that, whichever site was given the nod for the SMR reactor, the other site would still be considered for other nuclear projects.
The spokesperson said: “GBE-N acquired the Oldbury and Wylfa sites in July 2024 to develop new nuclear power stations.
“Rolls-Royce SMR has been named preferred bidder, and government funding has been confirmed for one project, with a site decision expected soon.
“Both sites are well-suited for nuclear development.
“GBE-N will engage closely with the selected community, including formal consultation, to shape plans and maximise local benefits—potentially creating up to 3,000 jobs at peak construction.
“The deferred site will be maintained for future development. GBE-N values early input from parish councils and stakeholders and remains committed to ongoing community engagement.”
No overall budget for the project has been decided but it is likely to be “in the tens of billions”, with GBE-N given £2.5bn in the most recent public spending review to fund the development stage.
The GBE-N spokesperson added: “There’s no timescale currently for development at the deferred site.
“Regardless of selection, the Oldbury site will press ahead with development activities such as ground investigations.”
Top picture: Computer generated image of a small modular reactor from Rolls-Royce