Representation by Amanda Crampton
- Date submitted
- 29 September 2020
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
The proposed build of Sizewell C power station will encroach on fragile natural habitats of national and international significance. Minsmere Nature Reserve ( including Minsmere-Walberswick Special Protection Area, Heaths and sandlings) and other surrounding land, the North Sea offshore Special Area of Conservation will be directly affected by this development, these are sites Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) - an area designated as being of special interest by reason of any of its flora, fauna or geological or physiographical features. SSSIs are designated by Natural England under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 and have to be protected. The EDF proposal identifies some alternative land set aside to compensate for the land taken to develop the power station. This does not avoid or minimise, or indeed compensate for the disruption on the significant range variety of wildlife that have established colonies and habitats on this part of the coast and inland reserve areas. The loss of wetland cannot be replaced. Furthermore, alternative land cannot mitigate against the disruptive impact of construction and the subsequent functioning of this power station on wildlife, which take decades to establish in an area. Wildlife are dependant on wildlife corridors and this development will disrupt / carve up these corridors. The significant additional impact on both humans ands wildlife of the increased reliance on roads to transport construction equipment and workers, is very alarming. Surely, if this power station is to be built, innovative and efficient use of ships / barges to bring in construction equipment directly to the construction site would be more effective than inflict yet more disruption on local populations and an increase in air pollution. Rail links should be improved in the first instance rather than roads. The campus area will be certainly impact on the surrounding area whilst construction continues. EDF have been rather less than honest in their sell of the development of Sizewell C, implying that the development will be good for local employment. It is understood that most of the construction workers will in fact be those currently building Hinckly Point, hence the need for caravan and hotel accommodation. The area around the development is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which makes this part of the Suffolk coast popular with visitors, tourists and wildlife. The development of yet another power station on this small piece of coast will inevitably impact on the landscape and quality of life for all. Nuclear Power is expensive, has associated risks, lack of knowledgeable about how used fuel rods are disposed of. This site will take decades before it starts to generate power, there are more environmentally friendly, less intrusive means of generating power which should be explored, as an island what about wave power? This proposal appears to underestimate the sensitivity and fragility of this coastline and of the ecological base of the area.