Representation by Philip Smith
- Date submitted
- 30 September 2020
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I have several significant concerns with the development of the Sizewell C Nuclear power station, which lead me to the conclusion that the development should be stopped and an alternative more environmentally friendly means of providing the energy requirements should be found. My concerns are particularly about the impact on the local wildlife and environment immediately surrounding the proposed development site. I also believe that the supply of electricity by Nuclear power is economically weak, has a long construction time compared with alternatives and has long term detrimental environmental consequences. Impact on RSPB Minsmere Reserve The RSPB Minsmere reserve is rightly viewed as the foremost site for birdwatching in the UK. Minsmere itself and the network of other sites around it are of international importance as recognised by various nature conservation designations (SPA, SAC, RAMSAR etc). It is put at risk of serious degradation as the proposed development site and associated accommodation and other constructions are adjacent to the proposed development site. Impact on Sizewell Belts SSSI The Sizewell Belts SSSI is likely to suffer the worst impact as it lies immediately adjacent to the west of the proposed Sizewell C platform. Construction of the site results in the direct permanent loss of part of the SSSI (over 6 hectares) with a further area (3 hectares) impacted at least temporarily and possibly permanently. The site is only 105 hectares so a significant direct loss. There will be multiple impacts on the wildlife. Offset proposals It seems to me that the proposals for offset sites to mitigate for the impacts on wildlife are totally inadequate as they have come nowhere near addressing the range of habitats and wildlife species that are likely to be impacted. Traffic Issues The construction will result in significant increases in road traffic, particularly heavy road traffic and is likely to have a detrimental impact on many villages and towns both in the local proximity and along the A12 in Suffolk. I am very concerned that the additional road traffic combined with traffic associated with the new development at Brightwell lakes will lead to heavy traffic congestion. Severe gridlocking is already happening especially if there is even a minor accident. This development will only make things worse. Economics and Sustainability of Nuclear Power as means of Electricity Production. The modern trends in energy production are towards renewables because of their lower environmental impact and increasingly competitive economic performance. They are also able to bring on electricity supply capacity over a much shorter period than nuclear power. The time to build is long for a nuclear power plant and historically there has been a tendency for projects and therefore costs to overrun. This extended build period leads to long term local issues during the construction phase, the proposed construction of Sizewell C also suffers from these issues.