Representation by Mary George
- Date submitted
- 30 September 2020
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I wish to raise the following concerns about Sizewell C: The site itself • Flood risk - site lies partly within Flood Risk Zones 1 and 3. Climate change and sea level rise pose additional risks during the site life-time. • Managing flood risk to protect the site may increase the flood risk for the surrounding area. • The coast is subject to erosion which could threaten the site’s safety. • The development and protection of the site with a hard coastal defence feature will have impacts on coastal processes to the north and south of the site. Transport • The proposed road transport plan for the construction phase is not viable. Unsustainable levels of HGV traffic would have a huge adverse impact on roads and local communities across a wide area. The A12 is inadequate to cope with additional traffic. Between the A14 and Woodbridge it already becomes congested with long queues regularly forming between roundabouts. • Rat-running on minor roads will cause further disruption as drivers try to avoid congestion and delays resulting from increased traffic and HGVs on main roads. • All statutory consultees rejected the ‘Road-Led’ proposals in consultations but this is the option put forward by EDF. Landscape, visual and biodiversity impacts • The site is within the Suffolk Coasts and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a statutorily protected landscape. The construction of Sizewell C would have a major long term adverse impact on the AONB, which could not be adequately mitigated. • Sizewell B was carefully designed to screen Sizewell A, this effect would be negated by Sizewell C. • It is wrong to introduce new pylons into a nationally designated landscape when Ofgem are promoting a scheme to enhance visual amenity in National Parks and AONBs affected by National Grid transmission infrastructure and elsewhere transmission lines are being put underground. • The site would adversely impact a number of nationally and internationally designated nature conservation areas. It is unrealistic to suggest that RSPB Minsmere will not be disastrously affected. These impacts cannot be sufficiently mitigated. EDF has recognised that Marsh Harriers could be impacted – a protected species. • Impact on public rights of way network, particularly the Suffolk Coast Path and the proposed England Coast Path - significant visitor attractions which will be compromised. • Impact on marine ecology and fish stocks. Cumulative impact of a number of energy developments in the area • There are a number of proposed or existing Nationally Significant Infrastructure projects in this area and existing major infrastructure, including Sizewell A and B, the Greater Gabbard and Galloper offshore wind arrays and all the associated onshore infrastructure. The combined impacts of all this infrastructure and construction must be taken into account when considering Sizewell C. Social and economic impacts • During the construction phase there will be increased traffic and HGVs affecting a wide area and near the site noise, dust and light will cause unavoidable disruption and disturbance to local communities for an unacceptable period, and probably for more years than planned. • The disruption will negatively impact Suffolk coastal tourism resulting in lost income, businesses and jobs. • 6000 workers moving into the area will put pressure on local housing, community infrastructure and services. I wish to endorse the Relevant Representations submitted by: Stop Sizewell C Melton Parish Council RSPB Suffolk Wildlife Trust Suffolk Coasts and Heaths AONB I believe that the Sizewell C DCO is unsuitable for ‘virtual’ examinations.