HUNDREDS more temporary beds may be needed over the next three years to house workers during the constructions of the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station.

Sedgemoor District Council highlighted the need for temporary accommodation in the district in 2017, to prevent the influx of Hinkley construction workers from putting pressure on the private housing market.

In the two years since it has granted permission for more than 1,000 temporary beds, of which more than half have been successfully taken up.

But with the construction workforce yet to reach its peak, more beds will be needed up to 2022 to ensure temporary workers have enough places to stay while building the new facility.

The council’s development committee discussed the situation at a meeting in Bridgwater on Tuesday (August 20).

Stuart Houlet, the council’s senior manager for development management, said in his written report: “More than 1,000 bed spaces have been consented, of which somewhere in the order of 600 taken up.

“In the interim, a substantial number of bed spaces in the purpose-built campus at Bridgwater and in hotels have come on-stream, with more to follow.

“There have also been delays to Hinkley Point C, and worker numbers are yet to peak.

“It is estimated there is likely to be a continuing demand for circa 600 caravan bed spaces within the next three years.”

Of the 5,600 people originally estimated to be working on the nuclear site at its construction peak, around one-third are considered “local” – meaning they are willing to commute and do not require temporary accommodation.

Under the council’s existing strategy, the remaining 3,700 are accommodated through a range of different initiatives, including tourist accommodation, the purpose-built campuses and the private rental sector.

More recent estimates indicate the peak workforce on the site could reach 9,000, depending on shift patterns and how construction proceeds over the coming years.

Mr Houlet said new sites would have to be found and existing sites reassessed for additional temporary beds, in order to prevent people on low incomes within Sedgemoor from accessing existing housing stock.

He said: “Unless sufficient accommodation is made and remains available, there will be displacement effects within the housing market, potentially affecting the ability of those on low incomes to access the private rented sector and affordable housing.”