Representation by Sophie Barrell
- Date submitted
- 30 September 2020
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I am concerned about a number of issues relating to the construction of Sizewell C. The location of this project is fundamentally flawed with the risk from climate change, sea level rise and flooding. This will have potential impact on coastal processes and on adjacent internationally designated sites of ecological importance and sites of amenity, cultural heritage and landscape value. As a result the site could become an island containing 5 nuclear reactors and stored waste. In addition there are eight other uncoordinated energy projects planned for the locality which could be alternative sites. It is predicted there will be unacceptable impacts on local communities - severance, traffic, significant increases in noise, light pollution and disruption. Up to 6,000 workers will come and live in the area, with 2,400 in a Worker campus. This will likely have a knock on consequence on visitor economy where tourism may lose up to £40m a year and 400 jobs. EDF surveys suggest 29% of visitors could be deterred. In addition, this will place even more pressure on local housing especially in private-rental sector. This project has the potential to cause irreparable harm to the environment and local landscape. This includes threatening the integrity of a Special Protection Area, RSPB Minsmere, a flagship destination of international importance and significance and home to a number of protected species such as marsh harrier and bittern. The development would result in pollution from light, noise and traffic, impact marine ecology and have catastrophic impact on landscape character because of locality, design and scale; due to the construction severing the AONB. It is also therefore impossible to compensate for landscape and ecological damage and won’t offset CO2 from construction for at least 6 years. I wish to endorse the Relevant Representation submitted by Stop Sizewell C, RSPB, and the SWT. In conclusion, I consider the Sizewell C application to be unsuitable and should be rejected. Yours sincerely Sophie