PEOPLE in Ardeer and beyond are to be asked for their thoughts next week on setting up a nuclear fusion plant in the area.

An online public engagement meeting will be held next week ahead of a final decision on whether Ardeer will be the chosen site for a Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) nuclear fusion plant.

It's thought the facility could bring thousands of jobs to the area eventually chosen as the site for the plant.

Representatives from the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) will be in attendance along with representatives from Fusion Forward (Ardeer), the University of Glasgow, North Ayrshire Council and landowners NPL Group.

The event will take place online, Wednesday January 26, from 6pm until 8pm, and will be open to any members of the public who wish to attend.

Alternatively, the event will also be screened live in the Lesser Hall at Ardeer Community Centre for those who are unable to access it online.

Leon Flexman from UKAEA commented on the influence of public opinion in a council meeting this week, January 21.

He said: “If there was a huge outcry against fusion coming to any of the sites, we would give it consideration.”

Ardeer is one of five UK sites to have been short-listed for the facility - the others are in Goole, East Yorkshire; Moorside in Cumbria; Ratcliffe-on-Soar in Nottinghamshire; and Severn Edge in Gloucestershire.

Anyone wishing to attend the event can sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/step-siting-ardeer-community-forum-tickets-247200622717 .

Read more about Ardeer’s fusion reactor bid:

Ardeer: Bid to build new Spherical Tokamak power plant

Ardeer on shortlist for prototype fusion energy plant

Ardeer nuclear plant: Scottish Government will 'refresh' energy strategy