Representation by Jan Dicks
- Date submitted
- 29 September 2020
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I am writing to OPPOSE the building of Sizewell C on our beautiful Suffolk coast. I am totally opposed to nuclear energy in principle for many reasons, but the main one is the storage of waste. I cannot understand how permission has been granted to build nuclear power stations when the problems of waste will be left for future generations over thousands of years. Our generation already has a lot to answer for. We must not leave this dreadful legacy. Apart from my general opposition to nuclear power, I would like to make the following points against the building of Sizewell C. Siting - It will be situated on a unique heritage landscape, and one which is becoming increasingly rare. Although we live in South Suffolk, my husband and I are frequent visitors to the Suffolk Coast. We often stay in the campsite at the Eel’s Foot Inn in Eastbridge so that we can visit Minsmere reserve and enjoy the beautiful landscape and wildlife of the area. The construction of a huge new power station is bound to have a detrimental effect on both. Cost – we believe that the huge cost of building Sizewell C should instead be used to develop alternate green energy sources. During this time of Covid 19 and massive unemployment, now is the ideal opportunity to invest in a huge green initiative so that the UK becomes a world leader in new forms of SAFE green energy such as hydrogen. Water – Sizewell C will need 3 million litres of fresh water a day for 70 – 80 years. Need I say more? Waste – the waste generated by nuclear reactors remains radioactive for tens to hundreds of thousands of years. I believe it is immoral to produce this waste and leave it for future generations to deal with. Funding – EDF do not have the funding to complete Sizewell C. This is with the current 20% funding from China which we believe to be a very unwise way of funding the UK'electricity generation. The National Audit Office has called Sizewell C ‘risky and expensive’. Traffic – the construction of Sizewell would involve an appalling traffic load and huge loss of greenfield site with new roads and labour camps. The destruction and fragmentation of the area for new roads, roundabouts, park and ride facilities and temporary accommodation, with all the noise, pollution, dust and light pollution that these, and the construction site, will bring, is too high a price to pay for a nuclear facility which is 20th century technology. Wildlife The whole area is rich in wildlife and important for biodiversity, which includes rare species like the endangered natterjack toad. The proposed development pays little attention to the potential massive detrimental effects on wildlife. It seems ludicrous to allow the destruction of such important habitats when we are being encouraged in Suffolk to turn 5% of our land back to nature. As a final point, why is no-one seeming to remember Fukushima!