China is to begin developing a new nuclear power station in Essex after the Government heralded a new wave of UK reactors by approving the £18bn Hinkley Point plant in Somerset.

Chinese state nuclear firm CGN will fund one-third of Hinkley, which is led by French state energy giant EDF, in return for the chance to build its own design of reactor at Bradwell with EDF's support.

Almost two months after Theresa May ordered a surprise review of Hinkley, the Government dismissed widespread criticism over its high cost and concerns over China’s involvement to confirm Britain’s first new nuclear plant in a generation could proceed.

Hinkley is scheduled to produce first power in 2025 and is in line for up to £30bn in subsidies over a 35-year period, under a controversial deal first agreed in 2013. The Government estimates Hinkley will add £12 a year to a typical household energy bill by 2030.

The only change to the Hinkley deal is that the Government has taken powers to veto EDF selling its controlling stake in the project, leading critics to call Mrs May's review “a lot of hot air”.