A United Nations committee has asked the U.K. to suspend construction of the Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant pending assessment of the environmental impact.

The UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) requested the pause until it established whether “a notification under the Espoo Convention” was useful. The Espoo Convention sets out the obligations of countries to “assess the environmental impact of certain activities.”

The UK has failed to properly consult neighbouring countries over the potential environmental risks of building the new nuclear reactors in Somerset. Germany, Norway and the Netherlands have now formally requested that a transboundary environmental impact assessment is carried out.

Stop Hinkley Spokesperson, Roy Pumfrey said:

“This is yet another embarrassment for the Government and its obsession with outdated, dangerous nuclear technology. This month we have already seen the Daily Telegraph warn that the old energy order is drawing to a close and that Theresa May’s Government will be cursed for locking us into Hinkley Point C’s ruinously high prices.

“Commentators and energy experts from all shades of opinion have told her that this phenomenally expensive project is an unnecessary form of power generation. Unlike previous Prime Ministers we know she is not averse to the occasional U-turn, so she should take the opportunity presented by the United Nations Committee to call a halt to this project now.”

The full document from the UNECE Economic and Social Council, released 18th March, is available here.