Hinkley Point C owner warns fish protection row may further delay nuclear plant

Construction at Hinkley Point C is already running years late and billions of pounds over budget. Photograph: EDF/CGN/Hinkley Point C/PA

The owner of Hinkley Point C in Somerset has warned that the much-delayed construction of Britain’s first new nuclear power plant in a generation could face further hold-ups because of a row over its impact on local fish.

The nuclear developer, EDF Energy, warned that the “lengthy process” to agree to a solution with local communities to protect fish in the River Severn had “the potential to delay the operation of the power station”.