Regulators have approved the design for a new type of nuclear reactor to be built in the UK.

The AP1000 nuclear reactor, designed by Westinghouse, has been given the go-ahead by The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), the Environment Agency (EA) and Natural Resources Wales (NRW).

Following the completion of a Generic Design Assessment (GDA), the regulators said they were satisfied the reactor meets safety, security and environmental protection expectations.

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UK nuclear company NuGen is planning to develop and operate three AP1000 reactors at Moorside in Cumbria.

Dr Richard Savage, ONR's Chief Nuclear Inspector, said: "The closure of our assessment of the generic design of the AP1000® reactor is a significant step in the process, ensuring the design meets the very high standards of safety we expect.

"We will now focus our regulatory attention on site specific assessments, and NuGen's application for a nuclear site licence."

Dr Jo Nettleton, Deputy Director for Radioactive Substances and Installations Regulation at the EA, said: "Successfully completing GDA means that the AP1000 is capable of meeting the high standards of environment protection and waste management that we require."

(LM/MH)