EDF Energy is planning to build a nuclear reactor on a proposed windfarm site

Environmental campaigners have condemned the sale of a proposed windfarm site to a French company planning to build a nuclear reactor on the plot.

The site at West Hinkley, in Somerset, has been bought by Electricite de France (EDF), one of the world's largest nuclear power generators.

Your Energy, which tried for five years to win planning permission to build a windfarm there, confirmed it had sold the project rights to EDF.

Jim Duffy, spokesman for the Stop Hinkley campaign, said objectors like British Energy had thwarted the wind farm plans by arguing that nuclear power was a better use of the land.

Mr Duffy said: "It's bitterly disappointing that a clean renewable energy project has been squeezed out by Europe's biggest energy company who are set on building at least one but perhaps two giant nuclear reactors with their associated nuclear waste and risks from accidents and terrorism.

"I don't think Somerset people want this behind-the-doors type of take-over nor what it will bring us.

"It's shameful that nuclear operators British Energy have made life difficult for Somerset's most promising sustainable energy project. Even more so that the Health and Safety Executive backed them up. This is a sad day for the environment."

A spokesman for EDF said: "EDF has indicated publicly for over three years that it would be interested in investing in a new generation of nuclear plants for the UK.

"On possible sites for new plants, the Government has indicated that the most viable sites are likely to be adjacent to existing nuclear power plants.

"EDF has been exploring possibilities at Hinkley Point and at Wylfa for more than a year. As a result, EDF has purchased land next to the existing sites at both locations."