West Cumbria could once more be at the forefront of an energy revolution after land at Moorside has been opened up for development.

In the Spending Review Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves announced the opening up land at Moorside, near Sellafield with Energy Minister Michael Shanks asking the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and Cumberland Council to explore the potential for clean energy development on the land.

Energy Minister Michael Shanks said: “Cumbria has a fantastic nuclear legacy, and opening up this land for development will build on the region’s energy expertise.

“This could lead to new jobs and economic growth in Cumbria, while boosting the nation’s energy security and protecting family finances.”

The government’s nuclear decommissioning arm, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) owns the site adjacent to Sellafield, will work with the local council to explore using the land for clean energy projects.

NDA Group CEO, David Peattie, said: “Our priority will always be the delivery of our nationally important mission, to safely and securely decommission the UK’s earliest nuclear sites.

“We have unique expertise, resources and assets and we are committed to exploring how we can best utilise these to support wider energy security ambitions and low carbon energy generation.

“That includes looking to identify land not required for our mission, which could be freed up for other uses to deliver benefits to the local community and wider economy.”

Cumbria has a strong nuclear history and the decommissioning work at Sellafield is a national priority.

Any plans for development will consider the requirements of existing major programmes at Sellafield, including plutonium disposition, which will support thousands of skilled jobs and inject billions into Cumbria over the coming decades.

The opening up can now lead to market discussions on privately-backed new nuclear, solar or wind as part of government’s Plan for Change.

A new clean energy project could lead to new jobs in the region, while protecting billpayers and boosting the UK’s energy security.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said: “Unlocking the potential of Moorside for clean energy is a significant step forward in our Plan for Change, supporting skilled jobs, economic growth and energy security in Cumbria and across the UK.

“By working closely with local partners, we can ensure that this historic region continues to lead the way in clean energy innovation, delivering real benefits for communities and protecting billpayers for years to come.”

Reeves thanked Whitehaven and Workington MP, Josh MacAlister, for his work, with the MP saying: “Unlocking this land gives us our best chance at new nuclear since the collapse of NuGen.

“Now we have the government behind us and an agreement on use of the land we can motor ahead to deliver Pioneer Park at pace.

“I will do everything in my power, working with national government and local partners, to secure West Cumbria’s nuclear future.

Leader of Cumberland Council, Councillor Mark Fryer, the area leader that Moorside is in, said: “This is great news for West Cumbria, a clean energy development will help grow and diversify our future economy.

“The council are fully committed to working with the NDA together to understand how we can deliver maximum value and benefit from the land at Moorside for the local community.”

Sellafield started as a Royal Ordnance Factory during World War II before become Windscale and part of the UK’s atomic programme.

The site expanded with Calder Hall being constructed in the 50’s and disaster striking on October 10, 1957.

A major fire broke out in one of the Windscale reactors with Radioactive material was released into the atmosphere, and the reactor was permanently shut down.

This is the worst nuclear accident in British history.

In the 80’s the site became Sellafield with a change to reprocessing following in the 90’s with THORP, Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant, opening in 1994.

Environmental concerns were raised as the site continues to operate as a decommissioning centre for nuclear material.