A CONTROVERSIAL site on the Westcountry coast has been included on a Government list of potential locations for next-generation nuclear power stations.

Anti-nuclear campaigners yesterday accused ministers of "brushing aside" health, environmental and economic concerns as it initially endorsed energy group EDF's proposal for a plant near Bridgwater in Somerset.

Since 1976, a reactor at Hinkley Point on the Bristol Channel shoreline has supplied millions of homes with power.

Yesterday, 86 hectares of land at Hinkley Point was included on a list of 11 potential areas where a new generation of nuclear power stations could be up and running from 2017.

The area houses the Hinkley Point B nuclear plant, which is set to be decommissioned in 2016.

The exercise forms part of Government plans to replace ageing nuclear power stations and highly polluting coal plants in an attempt to bridge an energy supply gap and lower carbon emissions. Members of the public are now being asked for their views during a month-long consultation, with the expectation of a shortlist being drawn up.

Energy and climate change secretary Ed Miliband said: "This is another important step towards a new generation of nuclear power stations. Nuclear power is part of the low-carbon future for Britain."

EDF is likely to be one of the key players, as nuclear energy, once tarnished by accidents such as those at Chernobyl in the Ukraine in 1986, has become increasingly fashionable among politicians.

Last year it bought British Energy, the UK's leading nuclear power operator, which included Hinkley Point B in its portfolio.

In Somerset, EDF hopes to build two new nuclear power stations on a combination of its sites and the adjacent land where the current reactor stands.

It has said the plant would generate around 1,600 megawatts of electricity – enough for about two million homes in the UK – and sustain around 700 full-time jobs for 60 years.

EDF Energy's Richard Mayson said it planned to build four nuclear reactors in the UK.

He said: "This is a further step in our plans for new nuclear build and a demonstration of our intention to play a leading role in the UK nuclear revival."

The Stop Hinkley campaign yesterday said the Government was too anxious to "brush aside" any criticism of nuclear power.

It pointed to a series of "dangers" posed by new nuclear power stations, not least "untested" technology, nuclear waste and rising sea levels.

Spiralling costs, as witnessed during the construction of modern reactors in Finland, was also a concern, it said.

David Taylor, a spokesman for the group, said by the time the reactors were up and running, the environment would already have passed the "point of no return". As such, the process was "grossly irresponsible".

Mr Taylor said: "The top priority for the Government should be energy conservation and renewable energy. That's the way to close the energy gap in the time we have available.

"Nuclear power is a dangerous and expensive red herring.

"I urge West Somerset District Council, and Somerset County Council, to seek the views of local people on this issue and to do what they can to ensure people are informed of the dangers posed by new nuclear power stations at Hinkley Point."