---

Energy: Draft National Policy Statement for Nuclear Power Generation (EN-6)

No, my Lords, I do not think that it does, for reasons that I referred to in relation to why the 10 sites are there. Dungeness is the only nominated site that overlaps with a European site to such an extent that avoidance of adverse effects is not possible and mitigation of the effects of direct land take is also not considered possible. However, as I said to the noble Lord, Lord Jenkin, two weeks ago, I do not have a closed mind. We will, of course, consider representations made during the consultation, but the Government reached their current view after the most careful assessment and having taken advice from our statutory advisers and environmental consultants. As the noble Baroness, Lady Young, pointed out, Dungeness, as a special area of conservation, is the most important shingle site in the UK and Europe and one of the largest shingle expanses in the world. I have consulted my officials, who have yet to discover the spiritual nature of the shingle, but we are ever hopeful that, in the true pathway of the department, we might get there.