A coalition of actors, broadcasters and entrepreneurs is warning that building work to replace Sizewell nuclear power station will “lay waste” to swathes of Suffolk’s most idyllic landscape. Bill Turnbull, the broadcaster; actors Bill Nighy and Diana Quick; the novelist Esther Freud and renowned sculptor Maggi Hambling are among those voicing their opposition to the movement of tons of construction materials and waste to and from the site. They say the plans could mean 1,500 lorries a day thundering through the quiet Suffolk countryside, with construction work disrupting the lives of residents and carving up farms and communities for years to come. The energy giant EDF Energy, which runs the Sizewell A and B nuclear power stations, is currently completing a public consultation exercise on plans to build a new replacement plant, Sizewell C, before submitting an application for development consent, with building work on the estimated £14 billion project due to start in 2021. In an open letter published in today’s Daily Telegraph opponents say the plans will not only threaten an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), but also jeopardise the area’s lucrative tourism industry. Campaigners, who also include Matthew Freud, the PR guru, Melvin Benn, who runs the Latitude music festival and Humphrey Burton, the classical music presenter and broadcaster, say the plans also threaten the viability of a number of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in the area, along with the RSPB’s famous Minsmere Reserve. David Wood, chairman of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB said: “The impact will be phenomenal. This is a designated national park that will be virtually cut in two for a minimum of 10 years.
Telegraph 20th March 2019 read more »
Suffolk County Council and Suffolk Coastal District Council said they are disappointed with the energy firm’s lack of detailed proposals for the Sizewell C scheme, which is currently being consulted on. The local authorities said they need to be absolutely clear that the benefits of the project outweigh the disadvantages before they offer their full support. In a joint response to the third and final stage of public consultation, agreed by the councils’ cabinets, they said they support the principle of a development of a new nuclear power station at Sizewell. But the councils warned about issues such as a move away from delivering construction materials by sea to a road-led option which would mean a significant number of additional HGVs on Suffolk’s roads. They also raise concerns about the construction of new pylons and the impact of additional development within the Suffolk Coast and Heaths area of outstanding natural beauty. The local authorities are urging EDF to work with the councils and share more detail and information to satisfy current concerns before the plans are submitted to the Planning Inspectorate.
Energy Voice 20th March 2019 read more »
Heart 20th March 2019 read more »
Family’s dream life in £900k country home faces ruin as EDF plans to build nuclear reactor roads right next to them.
The Sun 20th March 2019 read more »