An interactive model showing what Cumbria would look like if new nuclear reactors are built at Moorside is being created.

The model will show anyone in the county how their area would look, including new schools, roads, and other infrastructure. 

NuGen, the company hoping to build three new nuclear reactors at Moorside, near Sellafield, commissioned the work after meeting Cheshire firm 3DW at a Cumbrian networking group. 

They first discussed the idea at Britain’s Energy Coaster Business Cluster (BECBC) and have now been working together for twelve months.

Speaking at this week’s BECBC meeting, NuGen and 3DW told an audience of around 200 business people that the model would allow could event ‘take someone to their house or bedroom window’ to see how Moorside would affect them. 

It will be showed to the public during NuGen’s next round of public consultations, due to take place from May this year. 

Andy Dennison, director of 3DW, said: “Everything we produce is interactive so we could take someone to their house or bedroom window. 

“We’ve included the whole of Cumbria so we can even look at the project from Scafell Pike. 

“It means we can visualise how things will look in existing environment, rather than people looking at contour maps we can show it in a real world environment. 

John McNamara, NuGen head of corporate communications, said: “This is a hugely beneficial thing for both of us and we are working together on many aspects. 

“We’re on an interesting journey as we are replicating what happening at Hinkley Point C, but we are doing it from scratch with a new company. “We are working on public consultation and working on site assessment work, looking at the potential for a visitor centre and general amenities for the public.” 

Mr McNamara also said that he hopes the next round of consultation will bring a wider range of views, particularly from more young people. 

NuGen and 3DW are working together on a project to get local school pupils involved in STEM subjects. 

As part of NuGen’s Bright Sparks programme, students will be able to take part in visualisation workshops with 3DW.