The news that the Hitachi subsidiary Horizon Nuclear Power had notified the Planning Inspectorate that it is withdrawing its application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) for Wylfa Newydd on Anglesey has been has drawn reaction from the island's politicians.

Rhun ap Iorwerth, Ynys Môn MS said warned the 'real cost' of the UK Government's failure to deliver the project was that of long-term job opportunities.

He said: "Hitachi/Horizon’s decision to withdraw their planning application for Wylfa Newydd marks the end of the road for their project. The UK Government ultimately failed to deliver, and there’s a real cost to that in terms of long-term job opportunities.

“We have to concentrate in the immediate future on growing other employment opportunities - new projects and those already in the pipeline. Many are in the energy sector - offshore tidal, wave and wind, creating green jobs, developing new technologies that can be exported to the world, and bringing investment to the port of Holyhead.

“The M-Sparc science park, and our School of Ocean Sciences can and will be a hub for research and development for that and other technology and digital ventures. I’m looking forward to Plaid Cymru being given a chance to establish its Ynni Cymru/Energy Wales body here on the island.

“And of course, the Wylfa site itself and the skills developed there over many years remain very valuable, potentially for a smaller development that could ultimately be more sustainable for our communities. I’ve already spoken with potential developers. But we can’t build up hopes until we know there’s a realistic deliverable plan."

The Plaid Cymru MS added: “Of course, we have much more than energy to offer. We have exciting businesses across many sectors. We can do so much more in food production, and there are opportunities to develop homegrown and locally driven tourism and hospitality ventures.

“I know Wylfa divided opinion in many ways, and I’ve always respected the different views held. Today’s announcement will be welcomed by some, but it is a real blow to others, many of whom I know well, who had hoped for speedy progress on the Wylfa plan for the opportunities it represented.

"Now we must all focus on all those new and existing opportunities than can and will give hope to them and generations to come here on Ynys Môn.”

MP for Ynys Môn Virginia Crosbie, urged optimism claiming this was not the end of Anglesey's ambition to become home to a nuclear power station.

She said: "After hearing the news yesterday, I met with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and discussed the situation. I stressed the importance of Wylfa Newydd to Anglesey and the whole of North Wales and asked for BEIS commitment to working with me to find a solution.

“This is by no means the end of our island’s ambition to have a new nuclear power station on this site, which is a world-class place to install this energy.

“The UK government remains completely committed to nuclear power at Wylfa Newydd as am I. However, the fact is work could not continue without a developer.

“We have experienced a setback and I share the disappointment of the Anglesey community who have been so supportive of the project and who very much wanted to see the jobs and investment on our island."

“My job now is to help find new developers with new ambitions to invest in this site using the latest nuclear technology," added the Conservative MP.

"Wylfa Newydd is here ready and waiting for someone to take it forward. It will support the government’s 2050 net zero carbon goal, its levelling up agenda and it will stimulate the UK’s nuclear supply chain.

"Most importantly, the support of the community is fantastic, the government support is steadfast and I will do everything I can to ensure it becomes a reality. We go again."

A UK Government spokesperson said: “We offered a significant package of potential support to this project that went well beyond what any government has been willing to consider in the past, including taking a one third equity stake, providing all required debt financing and offering generous financial support through our Contract for Difference scheme.

“We understand that this will be disappointing news for the people of North Wales, however Wylfa remains an important site for potential new projects and the UK Government will continue to explore future opportunities for it.”