[11 May 2020] 56* Town and Parish Councils have today written to Matthew Hicks and Steve Gallant, the leaders of Suffolk County Council and East Suffolk Council respectively, reiterating their disappointment that the leaders say they are “supportive” of EDF submitting its application for a Development Consent Order for Sizewell C, but urging them to strongly hold the line that it would not be appropriate to start public (Section 56) consultations whilst coronavirus restrictions remain in place. This follow up letter was coordinated by the Anglian Energy Planning Alliance and Stop Sizewell C.

Tim Beach, chair of Snape Parish Council said: “We still maintain that EDF would be wrong to submit its Sizewell C application at the moment. We are disappointed and surprised by Suffolk County Council and East Suffolk Council saying they are “supportive” of EDF doing so, when many communities are working flat out to support the local government response to the pandemic. The caution the Prime Minister used in his public address last night tells us that our communities will be facing restrictions for many many months to come.”

Stephen Brett, chair of Theberton and Eastbridge Parish Council said: “The support we have had for this letter is amazing. There is a real sense of solidarity among towns and parishes in east Suffolk, and a shared determination to defend the principle that everyone must be able to fully engage in scrutinising the Sizewell C application when it comes. The County and District Councils must stand firm and we hope this overwhelming support strengthens their ability to do so.”

Alison Downes of Stop Sizewell C added: “We are grateful to each and every Town and Parish that signed this letter or wrote their own, and to the many that tried but found it challenging to make a decision whilst their face to face meetings are wholly suspended. This highlights just how difficult it will be for them – many of them statutory consultees – to deal with EDF’s application, so we are depending on the County and District Councils to be extremely robust in defending the right of all of us to have our say.”

* In addition to the 56 that signed, Framlingham Town Council and Great Bealings Parish Council sent individual letters of concern to the two leaders. 56 Town and Parish Councils – Letter to SCC ESCMay 2020