Friends of the Earth Barry and Vale is claiming an "initial victory" over EDF, which has agreed to conduct an environmental impact assessment (EIA) on its mud-dumping activities off the coast of Penarth.

The energy giant is planning to dump 780,000 tonnes of mud from its Hinkley Point C site into the sea just three kilometres from Penarth Head. 300,000 tonnes of mud have already been disposed of at the site.

The second-phase of this dredging and dumping programme is due to begin in 2021. EDF says it is a necessary step in constructing vertical shafts for the nuclear site's seawater cooling system.

Environmental and scientific groups have exerted pressure on EDF to conduct an EIA on the project, which they claim leads to radioactive materials contaminating the Bristol Channel and its inhabitants.

EDF had resisted such calls, saying "the mud poses no threat to human health or the environment," and that "levels of radioactivity in the mud are so low that they equate to 'not radioactive' under UK law."

However, the company today acquiesced, agreeing to conduct an EIA in order to "reassure the public of the safety of this activity".

Alexander Gray, Senior Public Affairs Manager wrote the following in a letter to concerned parties:

"We have proposed a testing plan that goes above and beyond internationally recognised best practice, with more samples at greater depth and with a greater range of analysis - including tests for pure alpha emitting particles and tritium.

"We believe it is right to go beyond technical arguments to provide the