Representation by Roger Mackenzie
- Date submitted
- 22 September 2020
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
1 Site Selection I am extremely concerned that there will be a catastrophic impact on adjacent internationally designated sites of ecological importance. Fundamentally I believe it is the wrong project in the wrong place.The extension of the Sizewell Nuclear site to allow the development of a new reactor will have massive effects. I am concerned primarily about the impact on adjacent internationally designated sites of ecological importance – notably the RSPB site at Minsmere and other sites of amenity, cultural heritage and landscape value. I am also concerned about the potential risk caused by rising sea levels and the danger of a tidal surge combined with a north-easterly storm. 2. Community, Economic and social impacts I live about 3 miles from the proposed site and there will be huge impacts on our local community - severance, traffic, significant increases in noise, light pollution and disruption. The life of our village community will be severely changed with 6,000 workers coming to work in the area and 2,400 living in a Worker campus built on a greenfield site only a mile from my house. Gentle ‘eco’ tourism is increasingly popular in this beautiful area and this will undoubtedly be undermined. There will be considerable pressure on local housing especially in private-rental sector. EDFs suggestion that they expect local people to fill 90% of lower-skilled jobs etc sounds unrealistic. There are a significant number of elderly and retired people who live in the area – many are worried about the pressure on our local health services. I know of several local neighbours who suffer with very poor health and the disruption in their lives will undoubtedly increase mental health problems. 3. Transport In my opinion the road-based transport plan is not satisfactory. It will have an enormous and adverse impact on local communities and the visitor economy. HGV numbers are as high as those under “Road-Led” proposals rejected by all statutory consultees in consultations. The Alternative relief road routes with legacy value has not been adequately assessed by EDF. 4. Environment and Landscape Having lived in Suffolk for over 50 years I am well acquainted with both local environmental expertise and the knowledge built up over generations that would suggest this is an area of critical concern. The issues are well known as listed below: Flooding Unclear effect on Minsmere Sluice Development would result in pollution from light, noise and traffic Dust management for spoil heaps and stockpiles inadequate Impact of the proposed borrow pits and landfill not fully addressed. Irreparable harm to Minsmere - a flagship destination of international importance and significance. Impacts on Marsh Harriers threaten integrity of Special Protection Area Uncertainty re drainage and supply of 3 million litres of potable water for the construction period and beyond. Abstraction of water compounds risks to the environment and to protected species/ecology. Risks to groundwater levels and surrounding habitats and ecology’Flood risk due to the loss of flood storage from the development site Catastrophic impact on landscape character because of locality, design and scale; construction severs the AONB Impossible to compensate for landscape and ecological damage Won’t offset CO2 from construction for at least 6 years. 5. Marine and Coastal processes The issues are well known and listed below: Ecological and flood risk impacts on coastal processes from hard coastal defence feature HCDF. No complete design of HCDF available Rates of erosion and recession episodic and unpredictable Impacts of Beach Landing Facility on coastal processes Impacts on marine ecology 6. Application I strongly endorse the Relevant Representation submitted by Stop Sizewell C. It is my opinion that the Sizewell C application is totally unsuitable for a digital examination process.