Developers behind Anglesey’s Wylfa Newydd have officially pulled the plug by withdrawing their planning application for the £16bn project.

Despite the promise of hundreds of well-paid jobs in an area decimated by economic blows over recent years – but also opposed by anti-nuclear groups –  a failure to reach a funding agreement with the UK Government saw work ‘paused’ on the long awaited project in January 2019.

Ongoing troubles saw Hitachi announce last September that it was pulling out completely, initially leaving its Horizon Nuclear Power subsidiary to try to secure new investors for the site near Cemaes.

But, with Horizon set to be wound up by the end of March 2021 and despite an expectation that the UK Government would announce a decision over the long delayed planning application by April 30, the company today informed the Planning Inspectorate that it was formally withdrawing its Development Consent Order (DCO) bid.

Established in 2018 with the first hearing held in October of that year, the five member panel was to consider and make a recommendation to the UK Government on whether the DCO for the main nuclear power station and other off-site integral developments should be permitted.

But in a letter to the Planning Inspectorate earlier today, Horizon announced it was formally withdrawing its application, citing a lack of “any definitive proposal” to transfer either Wylfa or its other site, at Oldbury-on-Severn in Gloucestershire, to an alternative developer.

Describing Wylfa as “highly suitable” for nuclear new build and capable of “substantially supporting UK energy policy”, the company added it was “too important to the net zero agenda and the economic future of Anglesey and north Wales for that progress to be wasted”.

With plans now in place to manage both sites under the control of its subsidiary, Hitachi Europe Limited, Horizon CEO Duncan Hawthorne said:  “This will be done with a view to considering development proposals from commercial or public sector developers who may come forward, and Horizon will continue to support this intent until the end of March.

“Beyond this period Hitachi Europe will remain available to respond to any parties who may have an interest in acquiring these sites.”

Describing the announcement as a “setback”, the island’s MP remained adamant of the UK Government’s commitment to establishing such a site on the island.

“This is by no means the end of our island’s ambition to have a new nuclear power station on this site, which is a world-class place to install this energy,” said Virginia Crosbie.

“The UK government remains completely committed to nuclear power at Wylfa Newydd as am I. However, the fact is work could not continue without a developer.

“We have experienced a setback and I share the disappointment of the Anglesey community who have been so supportive of the project and who very much wanted to see the jobs and investment on our island.

“My job now is to help find new developers with new ambitions to invest in this site using the latest nuclear technology.

“Wylfa Newydd is here ready and waiting for someone to take it forward. It will support the government’s 2050 net zero carbon goal, its levelling up agenda and it will stimulate the UK’s nuclear supply chain.

“Most importantly, the support of the community is fantastic, the government support is steadfast and I will do everything I can to ensure it becomes a reality. We go again.”

The leader of Anglesey Council spoke of her “immense disappointment” at the news, describing the decision as a “real blow” for the future economic prosperity of north Anglesey in particular.

Cllr Llinos Medi said: “We simply cannot let these long years of effort and hard work be for nothing; our young people and communities expect and deserve far better opportunities.

“The Wylfa site still remains one of the best in Europe and I would now urge the UK Government to work towards securing a credible way of financing new nuclear and deliver its energy policy.

“The county council will continue working with UK and Welsh Governments, and regional partners, to bring new investment and employment to Anglesey.”