The Pontins Brean Sands holiday camp in Brean, Somerset, has remained closed to the public for another summer, prompting a tourism industry plea for action against EDF Energy.
The site, on South Road, has been shut to the public since late 2022 and currently houses approximately 900 workers employed at the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station construction site.
Tourism chief urges council action
Alan House, chairman of Discover Brean, called on Somerset Council this week to compel EDF to disclose details of mitigation funding without delay, or pursue legal action against the energy giant.
Alongside refurbishing the site, EDF made a commitment to provide mitigation funding to offset the closure of the park, including compensation for the economic impact on local businesses, many of which depend heavily on seasonal trade.
The council acknowledged concerns over EDF's "lack of urgency" but conceded many of the issues relating to the site fell beyond its jurisdiction.
No firm timetable for resolution
A legal agreement governing EDF's use of the site was signed by the council in March 2023, and an economic impact assessment was commissioned during the summer of 2024, which EDF subsequently rejected.
Under the terms of this legal agreement, EDF and the council are required to "discuss additional measures" of mitigation "should the holiday park remain occupied beyond December 2025."
Mr House addressed the matter in considerable detail when the council's executive committee met in Taunton on Wednesday, October 7. He said: "I am asking the executive to intervene in the continuing failure to resolve tourism mitigation arising from EDF's use of Pontins Brean Sands for Hinkley Point C workforce accommodation.
"We are now nearly nine months beyond the trigger date, yet there is still no agreed overall mitigation fund, no determination of what 'appropriate' mitigation means, no agreed method for assessing proportionality, and no firm timetable for resolution."
Council response and EDF's position
Discover Brean submitted its own mitigation proposals in October 2025, before holding discussions with council and EDF representatives in May 2026.
EDF has supplied interim funding for promotional activities and complimentary beach parking, however Mr House stated this fell short of "provide the certainty needed to plan Brean's tourism recovery".
Councillor Mike Rigby, portfolio holder for economic development, planning and assets, was unable to attend the meeting in person but provided a response in advance, which was read aloud by council leader Bill Revans.
He said: "I remain concerned about the apparent lack of urgency from EDF in resolving the workforce uplift matters. Officers and I have been engaging with EDF and negotiating to achieve the best possible outcomes for the people of Somerset, while acknowledging that in many instances mitigation is a voluntary process for EDF.
"The speed of reaching a conclusion can be frustrating – but as the mitigations last for many years, it is important to get this right. While these negotiations are under way, EDF continues to fund a number of roles within the council and to provide funds to partner agencies.
"While we can set out our own intended actions and milestones, the timing of evidence submissions by third parties is not within our control. It would therefore not be appropriate to commit to publishing a definitive time-scale within ten working days."
Regarding the potential use of legal proceedings, Mr Rigby (who represents the Lydeard division near Taunton) stated the council would initially "consider all options" to reach a swift resolution to this longstanding dispute.
He went on to say: "I recognise the importance of reaching a timely and evidence-based resolution regarding tourism mitigation associated with the use of Pontins Brean Sands by the Hinkley Point C project workforce.
"Our priority is to facilitate a resolution through constructive engagement and consideration of the available evidence. The dispute resolution provisions within the agreement remain available to all parties.
"It would not be appropriate for the executive to predetermine a trigger point for the formal dispute process.
"Should officers conclude that further discussions are unlikely to achieve a resolution, we will consider all options available to us under the agreement, including the independent expert provisions."
EDF Energy has stated on its official website that £2m had already been invested in the Brean Sands site which would "leave the site in a better condition for future holiday use".
A spokesperson added: "We accept that some businesses could be affected by our use of the holiday park during the summer season. To help, we have stepped in with business support grants and we're funding marketing campaigns to bring new visitors to the area.
"Businesses wanting to make use of the direct support available can apply via a dedicated webpage. Our use of Pontins bring benefits to the local economy for 12 months a year, beyond the current few months of the holiday season.
"Community groups have access to Hinkley Point C's £20m community fund."
