Sizewell report: a new approach for major public inquiries

This report is based on the Public Inquiry into a proposal to build a nuclear power station (a Pressurized Water Reactor) at Sizewell, on the Suffolk coast. The Main Hearing began on 11th January 1983 and ended on 7th March 1985, lasting 340 working days. As well as background information, the chapters in Part I are topic based, covering the issues in the inquiry process which emerged as the most prominent and controversial and including a review of the roles of the Inspector and his 'team', financial problems, the policy context of the Sizewell proposal, attempts to assess reactor safety and the use of a semi-judicial format. Part II looks briefly at recent exercises and reports relating to other public inquiries - none of the recommendations about trying new forms of debate for major planning proposals have been implemented. Part III brings together the main general conclusions from Part I followed by recommendations concerning future major public inquiries. (U.K.)