WEST Somerset Council’s cabinet has backed a decision which could see several groups in the district miss out on cash from the Hinkley C Community Impact Mitigation Fund.

The County Gazette reported last week how nine groups had applied for money from the fund, but the Hinkley C Planning Obligations Board recommended refusing most of the bids, because they weren’t linked closely enough to the ongoing site work at Hinkley Point.

At last Wednesday’s cabinet meeting, councillors backed eight of the board’s nine recommendations, which will now be decided at a full council meeting next Wednesday.

However, they disagreed with one of the recommendations, which was that the Porlock Bay Shellfish Project should not get £800 on the grounds there was no “clear, identifiable impact” from the Hinkley C site preparation works.

West Somerset Council’s cabinet has asked the board to reconsider.

Cllr Karen Mills, lead member for economic development and Porlock ward councillor, said: “Councillors felt the board has not given sufficient regard to the economic sustainability benefits, specifically the extent to which the project will contribute to the wider goal of achieving sustainable communities.

“The total costs of the project are £23,000 and they are asking for £800 towards the production of a website which is essential.

“Shellfish farming on the coast at Porlock, which could find itself less accessible while work at Hinkley Point takes place, is a real community project that could create ten local jobs in just five years. I really hope the POB will look again at the bid – and favourably.”

Roger Hall, spokesman for the project, said: “Porlock has always struggled to get visitors to make the long journey from the M5 at Bridgwater along the winding A39.

“The traffic congestion around Hinkley will exacerbate this situation.

“The Shellfish Project will not only generate new jobs but also has the potential to become a unique visitor attraction to Porlock. “The website will help us to attract visitors and counterbalance the effect of the Hinkley construction on the traffic.”