Public participation in the siting and licensing of nuclear power plants in the United Kingdom

Within the United Kingdom there is a history of involving the public in the decision making process for major new projects through the public inquiry system. Nuclear power plant is no exception to this and each proposal to build a new reactor is, in practice, subject to public scrutiny at an inquiry. This paper outlines the process by which an operator obtains permission to build and operate a new reactor in the United Kingdom, and the participation of the public in the decision making process. (author)