Representation by Imogen Robinson
- Date submitted
- 20 September 2020
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
As a long term resident of Suffolk, and someone who cares passionately about this area where I and two previous generations of my family lived and worked in, I wish to register the following concerns about the proposed Sizewell C development: I am opposed to the proposed development on the following grounds: THE SITE The site identified for Sizewell C is too small for the size of the development. It is surrounded by designated sites of international and national ecological importance and sites of landscape, cultural heritage and amenity value which will all be adversely impacted. It will require the acquisition and destruction of areas which are inside the area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB). Climate change forecasts by the Environment Agency predict that Sizewell will be an island in a century: it will still, by then, be storing lethal spent nuclear fuel as well as operational and decommissioned nuclear reactors. Insufficient protection afforded by hard sea defences; risk of flooding. AMENITIES Increased traffic – upto 1140 HGVs per day, 700 buses and 10,000 cars/vans per day for the entire construction period of between nine and 12 years – will bring misery to thousands. Cars and vans servicing the site will seek out rat runs to avoid traffic gridlock on the A12, accident rates will increase. Unacceptable impacts on local communities - severance, traffic, significant increases in noise, light, air, dust pollution and disruption. One third of tourists to the area will decline to visit, severely harming the thriving trade on which the area largely depends. An estimated £40m a year in lost revenues is predicted. The influx of an estimated 6,000 workers will mean a reduction in quality of life, more social unrest and disturbance as well as pressure on local services such as the NHS and emergency services. The siting of worker campuses will disturb existing residents and the shifts at Sizewell will mean site traffic peaking in the morning and evening. Footpaths which are familiar to and well used by local residents will be closed. Coronation Wood will be felled. TRAFFIC The massive increase in HGV movements, light van deliveries and workers’ car journeys will change the traffic profile in East Suffolk detrimentally for a decade at least. It will require five new roundabouts on the A12. Traffic will be gridlocked while the new road layout is under construction and possibly for longer periods due to the huge increase in HGVs. Relief roads will divide communities and farms. Insufficient use of rail and sea transport. ENVIRONMENT The carbon reduction benefits of Sizewell C are limited, despite EdF’s claims. It will take at least 6 years before the carbon debt created by the construction of the plant to be off-set, i.e. not until 2040 if the plant is completed by 2034. Fresh water demand for Sizewell C will require 3 million litres a day in an area which is the most water-scarce in the country. Spoil heaps unmanaged. RSPB Minsmere will be put under intolerable pressure. This prized national asset for birds and wildlife will be compromised. Water abstraction may affect groundwater levels and represent a risk to the wider environment. MARINE ISSUES The sea water intake system will have a devastating effect on fish stocks, sucking in tonnes of marine life daily and discharging them in the outfall. Coastal erosion/accretion processes unpredictable but siting the development on an eroding coastline is plainly dangerous and irresponsible. ACCESS The Covid 19 pandemic has disrupted the EDF public consultations as well as the document review period and should not have been allowed to proceed during times of restricted access, meeting and transport. EDF’s documents have consistently been of poor quality and difficult to view, with maps too small and with descriptions almost unreadable. The application and examination process is totally unsuitable to being digitally examined. If sizewell C is built I feel it will be a disaster for the wonderful area of coastal Suffolk that contains such a rich and diverse wildlife. The damage is inconceivable to the natural world of this area. I have lived in this area for most of my life, my parents were born and brought up in the area having moved away and returned to have our family, and so I understand the nature of the countryside and coastline well. There are so many considerations it is difficult to know where to start. Alternatives are available and in my opinion should be pursued fully to their limit before such a monstrosity as sizewell c is even considered. The roads are unsuitable for transporting the fast quantities of materials, and local employment does not depend on waiting for this development. Maintain the existing sizewell A and B and let it run its course, more than enough pollution for our planet. The facts speak for themselves with regards to wind farms and solar power, alternative natural energy provided from the earth's resources without depleting and damaging the natural environment of this wonderful aonb, and more economically viable. Future generations will be thankful, if we can see the way forward to really examining the the overall perspective and and taking wise action, we must make the right decision now.