A 20-year plan is being created to grow Bassetlaw’s economy off the back of the new multi-billion-pound fusion energy plant near Retford. The major project, which could bring nuclear fusion energy to the decommissioned West Burton A power station, was confirmed in October.
Read more: Neighbour heard 'loud scream' after man taken to hospital with stab wounds in Nottingham It says: “Bassetlaw has never been in the position where billions of pounds will be spent in the district through a large capital project spanning two decades. This gives us a unique opportunity to plan over a 20-year period, knowing with comparative certainty what will be happening on a large strategic site in the district.”
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Cllr Naish told the Local Democracy Reporting Service there are short and long-term benefits to the project. He has visited Culham, in Oxfordshire, which is currently the home to UK Fusion Energy, the organisation developing the technology. “I really appreciate that, for a lot of people, it’s far away or it might not matter to them. But the Oxford site has one person who’s 18, one who’s 20 and the oldest apprentice is 47. People are retraining to be part of this developing industry.