Yes, but only 1 permission for a plant was given in what, 20 years?

How many plants applied for permission and were turned down? 0?

I can't say and can't even guess where to find that information. However, I believe if there was a concentrated effort to develop and build small-scale reactors, there would be use for them. But if the permission process is heavily regulated and political, who will invest in such reactors?

I still remember when Olkiluoto 3 was approved, the Green party left the government out of protest. And in 2014 they threatened to leave the government again if they approve some change in another plant's permit. That's the level of ideological opposition we're talking about.

Luckily, the tide is turning, but it's highly annoying that this needs to be an issue.