EDF Energy's application to build these vast nuclear reactors is now being examined by the Planning Inspectorate. They would be right within our tranquil Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Please help us to fight this monstrosity.
The two massive reactors for Sizewell C nuclear power station with four-lane access road would be built directly on the NE of Sizewell Marshes Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This is supposed to be protected and designated for its flowering fen meadow, now a rare habitat. Moreover, the whole of the main development site would be in Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), designated for its beauty of landscape and tranquillity. Instead of quiet beauty we would have one of the biggest building sites in Europe, lasting for at least 12 years, and looking like the above. Please help us to save our wonderful coast with its rare wildlife!
The examination process
Even after the application was accepted EDF Energy has been allowed to make changes - 19! They ran yet another two consultations, the fifth and then the sixth, each for 30 days. This meant that we had a great many extra documents to wade through at this very late stage, with no proper time to consider their implications. Much of the work carried out on the original proposals was wasted. We're really furious. What a shambles!
We submitted 42 Written Representations for consideration by the Examining Authority. They covered ecohydrology and the impacts on Sizewell Marshes SSSI, risk to the invertebrates including rare butterflies and dragonflies, harm to protected wildlife of the proposed access road, and strong challenges to EDF's claims for biodiversity net gain. Other groups are covering finance, policy, need and so on. It's been really hard work gathering all the evidence and writing up the reports. We also spoke at the Issue Specific Hearings.
The Examining Authority now has three months to review the evidence and make a recommendation to the Secretary of State. His decision is imminent.
Please help us stop this hideous monster and tell your local councillor and MP that Sizewell C is not wanted and that we, the public, do not wish to pay for it through the promised RAB model.