THE company behind plans for a new nuclear power station at Shepperdine, near Oldbury, has been defending its proposals this week.

Technical experts from Horizon, a joint venture between E.ON and RWE npower, were at Oldbury Memorial Hall on Monday to listen to people’s concerns about the station which is due to be operational by 2025.

The company has not yet chosen the type of nuclear reactor it will install but recently announced it favours four hybrid cooling towers instead of much taller natural draught towers.

Planning and consents manager Tim Proudler said: "People are obviously more relieved with smaller cooling towers and there has been positive feedback.

"We are working on the principles of transport, marine construction and flood protection measures and once we have enough information we will hold another consultation in 2011."

The Shepperdine Against Nuclear Energy (SANE) group were at the drop-in event handing out leaflets against new nuclear power.

Chairman Reg Illingworth said: "We don’t like the position Horizon is in. The government has given the power and authority to the people who are in control of the development and we want to make sure people are getting a balanced view of what is going on."

John Wilson, who built his own bungalow at the Oldbury Naite crossroads, said: "We don’t want it. It will spoil the countryside and the road during construction will be a nightmare. My property will be devalued and I think it is terrible."

John Phipps, from Oldbury-on-Severn, added: "I think Horizon is being very devious and will not give you straight answers. I am worried about noise, visual impact and the construction."