THE Scottish Government has been called on to provide assurances that Hunterston B power station will not become a "dumping ground" for nuclear waste from other parts of the country.

Operator EDF Energy has applied to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) to allow it to transport intermediate-level radioactive waste from other sites to the North Ayrshire facility to be stored.

Margaret McDougall, Labour MSP for West Scotland, called on Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead to set out his position. She said: "Many of my constituents are worried that if this application is approved it would lead to Hunterston being the dumping ground for radioactive waste from across Scotland and beyond.

"They are also concerned that this waste would be transported on mainly A-class roads, increasing the risk of accidents.

"Given that the Scottish Government's policy on managing nuclear waste is for it to be stored in near-surface facilities, 'located as near to the site as the waste is produced as possible', what assurance can the Cabinet Secretary give that Hunterston will not be used as a dumping ground?"

Mr Lochhead said the application was primarily a matter for Sepa, now giving it "full consideration".