JOINT PRESS STATEMENT by Theberton & Eastbridge Action Group on Sizewell (TEAGS), B1122 Action Group and Minsmere Levels Stakeholder Group [1]

For Immediate Release, 9 November 2016

Contacts: Su Swallow, 01728 830981,  Alison Downes, 07711 843884, Roy Dowding, 07729013310, 

After a four year gap, EDF to rush public consultations on Sizewell C over the Christmas period

Campaigners have pressed EDF since 2012 for creative solutions that would bring a positive legacy to the region and alleviate the worst impacts of Sizewell C construction on people and the environment.  

[SUFFOLK] Campaigners in east Suffolk today responded with dismay to news that, after a delay of almost four years, EDF plans to rush through its “Stage 2” public consultations on Sizewell C over the Christmas period. [2] Representing local residents, campaigners have pressed EDF and elected representatives since 2013 for commitments that negative impacts of worker accommodation and construction traffic on frontline communities and the environment will be genuinely addressed.

Su Swallow, Co Chair of Theberton & Eastbridge Action Group on Sizewell [TEAGS] said: “Ever since Stage 1 consultations, we and other community representatives have been urging EDF to look imaginatively at ways to enhance Sizewell C’s legacy to the region, whilst reducing the cumulative and disproportionate impacts on people and our unique environment of what is expected to be a decade-long period of chaos. This will be the biggest construction project the East of England has ever seen, and EDF cannot be allowed to ride roughshod over the communities in its path.”

EDF promised an additional consultation stage in response to feedback from communities looking for more detailed plans [3]. Of particular interest will be how EDF addresses concerns relating to:

• Environment: construction will impact the coastline and groundwater, as well as a wide range of birds and other animals, raising threats to two Sites of Special Scientific Interest and the nationally treasured Minsmere Reserve, and damage the unique qualities that make this part of Suffolk so special – peace, tranquility and dark night skies – driving visitors away. Environmental impacts will be exacerbated by a “new town” for up to 3,000 construction workers (see below).
• Accommodation: EDF intends to build a new town for 3,000 workers – including multi-storey residences, car parks and leisure facilities – close to Minsmere and next to Eastbridge, a hamlet of 50 people. Yet at Hinkley Point, workers will be split across 3 sites mostly in urban settings. [4]
• Transport: EDF is relying on the B1122, a country road, to carry 600 lorries a day and provide the main emergency access and evacuation route. A Suffolk County Council survey in July 2016 revealed that traffic on the B1122 was “the number one” concern for the community, with residents feeling that EDF had not yet provided any satisfactory solutions. [5]

Alison Downes, Co Chair of TEAGS added: “Despite widespread criticism of EDF for holding Stage 1 consultations over the Christmas period in 2012, [6] history is being repeated, which makes us once again question EDF’s sincerity in its desire to be a “good neighbour”, since feedback seems to fall on deaf ears. EDF has had years to put these proposals together, and yet local people are expected to digest lengthy and complex information and make a meaningful response in less than 10 weeks. Given the long gap since Stage 1 we are at a loss to understand the rush.”

Notes

[1] Theberton & Eastbridge Action Group on Sizewell was formed in 2013 to represent the concerns of its residents about EDF’s accommodation and transport plans. It has the full support of the Parish Council. www.stopsizewellc.org. The B1122 Action Group was formed in 2013 to press EDF for a dedicated road from the A12 to the Sizewell C construction site. http://sizewellrelief.weebly.com. The Minsmere Levels Stakeholder Group monitors the management of the water catchment area of the Minsmere River, Leiston Beck and Leiston Drain, its subsequent discharge through the Minsmere Sluice to the sea, as well as the state of coastal erosion across the Minsmere Haven area. http://minsmerelevelsstakeholdersgroup.onesuffolk.net

[2] EDF’s “Stage 2” consultation period will last from 23 November 2016 to 3 February 2017.

[3] http://sizewell.edfenergyconsultation.info/szc-proposals/stage-2/

[4] In Somerset, worker accommodation will comprise 500 immediately adjacent to the build site, the remaining 1,000 on two sites in Bridgwater, population 50,000, with the potential for some legacy student accommodation. In Suffolk, up to 3,000 workers will be housed on green fields around 2-3 miles from the build site, and a very long way from suitable infrastructure and entertainment for workers off-shift.

[5] County Councillor Guy McGregor said: “We needed to hear what concerns local people have about the development. This report has given voice to such concerns and EDF need to listen and act upon this….. We will use this information to ask EDF Energy to take direct measures to address the widespread worries of the local community.” http://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/traffic_analysis_raises_serious_concerns_over_sizewell_c_1_4618024

[6] EDF’s Stage 1 consultations took place from 21 November 2012 to 6 February 2013.

16 September 2016 by Richard Cornwell

Read online – http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/communities_on_alert_for_start_of_sizewell_consultation_1_4698782. This article also appeared in the Ipswich Star.

Communities across east Suffolk are today waiting eagerly and anxiously to find out more details about Sizewell C.

EDF Energy officials in Suffolk said the HPC decision was “good news for Sizewell C”, but could not yet give a date when the next consultation will start.

It is understood officials from the company are talking with Suffolk Coastal District Council and Suffolk County Council over the format of the consultation, length and start date.

A spokeswoman said: “As we have said previously EDF will continue to be the lead partner in the Sizewell C Project. We look forward to consulting stakeholders and local communities in Suffolk on our developing proposals for Sizewell C.”

Chinese company CGN has agreed to fund 20% of the development costs of Sizewell C, but its further involvement in the project has not yet been made public.

CGN is due to take a 66.5% share of the new power station at Bradwell, due to be the flagship for Chinese investment, design and technology. It is not yet known how the Government’s new financial and ownership controls could affect the project.

Theberton and Eastbridge Action Group on Sizewell (TEAGS) is hoping there will be as long as possible to consider the proposals for Sizewell C.

Alison Downes of TEAGS said: “Nearly four years after the first consultation stage here in Suffolk on Sizewell C, all evidence suggests that EDF is doggedly sticking to unacceptable plans that will have a devastating impact on our tiny parish – including a multi-storey campus for 3,000 construction workers beside a hamlet of 100 people, along one of the main routes into RSPB Minsmere, and a wildly unrealistic expectation that the B1122, a country road through Theberton, can cope with all construction and emergency traffic.”

TEAGS has expressed support for local Somerset residents.

“We can imagine how residents next to Hinkley C must be feeling, where local campaigners fought valiantly to change aspects of EDF’s construction proposals but to little avail,” said Su Swallow of TEAGS.

“Having visited Hinkley, we know that their experience of negotiating with EDF matches our own thus far in seeking to persuade EDF to amend it proposals – the company appears deaf to what we have to say. The only straw of comfort is the Government’s intention to take a ‘special share’ in future reactors, and we will do all in our power to engage the Government in our battle to stop EDF trampling our communities in east Suffolk.”

Sizewell C is expected to bring a £100m a year boost to the Suffolk economy and the HPC decision was welcomed in the county.

Graham Kill, chairman of the Institute of Directors Suffolk branch, said: “Whilst it has been a more difficult journey than hoped to get Hinkley Point approved, we hope that this is a positive step in the right direction for Sizewell C.

“Further developments at Sizewell will increase the opportunity for jobs in the area and therefore help local businesses. Hopefully the issues with Hinkley Point are behind us and progress on Sizewell C can be made without similar stumbling blocks.”

The new legal framework for future foreign investment in Britain’s critical infrastructure will mean the Government will be able to prevent the sale of EDF’s controlling stake prior to the completion of construction, without the prior notification and agreement of ministers.

This agreement will be confirmed in an exchange of letters between the Government and EDF.

Existing legal powers, and the new legal framework, will mean that the Government is able to intervene in the sale of EDF’s stake once Hinkley is operational.

After Hinkley, the British Government will take a “special share” in all future nuclear new build projects – including both Sizewell C and Bradwell. This will ensure that significant stakes cannot be sold without the Government’s knowledge or consent.

Theberton and Eastbridge Action Group on Sizewell (TEAGS) expresses support for communities adjacent to Hinkley Point C as UK Government gives the project the green light.

TEAGS fears that EDF’s failure to adequately address local concerns at Hinkley will be replicated in east Suffolk, with even greater hardship for residents here.

[SUFFOLK] Theberton and Eastbridge Action Group on Sizewell (TEAGS) today expressed support for local Somerset residents, as the UK Government gave permission for Hinkley Point C nuclear new build to proceed provided new conditions are met. [1] EDF, which had made its final investment decision on 28 July, and its Chinese partner China General Nuclear Power Corp, have both agreed.

“We can imagine how residents next to Hinkley C must be feeling, where local campaigners fought valiantly to change aspects of EDF’s construction proposals but to little avail,” said Su Swallow of TEAGS. “Having visited Hinkley, we know that their experience of negotiating with EDF matches our own thus far in seeking to persuade EDF to amend it proposals – the company appears deaf to what we have to say. The only straw of comfort is the Government’s intention to take a ‘special share’ in future reactors, and we will do all in our power to engage the Government in our battle to stop EDF trampling our communities in east Suffolk.”

EDF staff told Theberton and Eastbridge Parish Council on 14 September that the company hoped to press ahead swiftly with a second stage of consultations in Suffolk on its proposals for Sizewell C.

Alison Downes of TEAGS said, “Nearly four years after the first consultation stage here in Suffolk on Sizewell C, all evidence suggests that EDF is doggedly sticking to unacceptable plans that will have a devastating impact on our tiny parish – including a multi-storey campus for 3,000 construction workers beside a hamlet of 100 people, along one of the main routes into RSPB Minsmere. and a wildly unrealistic expectation that the B1122, a country road through Theberton, can cope with all construction and emergency traffic.”

In July the results of a Suffolk County Council survey revealed that traffic on the B1122 was “the number one” concern for the community, with residents feeling that EDF had not yet provided any satisfactory mitigation proposals to counter the problems. Local media quoted County Councillor Guy McGregor as saying: “We needed to hear what concerns local people have about the development. This report has given voice to such concerns and EDF need to listen and act upon this…We will use this information to ask EDF Energy to take direct measures to address the widespread worries of the local community.”  [2]

The communities around Sizewell are increasingly aware that EDF has so far failed to adequately address local concerns about:

•   transport, with up to 600 lorries a day expected to use the B1122 to bring loads to Sizewell.
•   emergency access, given the very limited road infrastructure in the area.
•   opposition to a campus for 3,000 construction workers adjacent to a tiny hamlet. In Hinkley, 500 workers will live on the site, the remaining 1,000 on brownfield sites in Bridgwater, (population 41,000).
•  Noise, light and air pollution
•  Impact on sensitive wildlife and habitats as well as the wider Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

“Whilst EDF is using the same language in Suffolk as in Somerset – a desire to ‘be a good neighbour’ – there is no sign so far that we will be able to achieve any shift in EDF’s plans for Sizewell,” said Jon Swallow of TEAGS. “Our small rural communities will bear the brunt of the construction phase but trampling our villages is clearly seen as the easiest option, with little hope of meaningful mitigation.”

EDF will not say whether its plans have changed since Stage 1 consultations, but there is no indication that they have done so and residents have been told they must wait for Stage 2 documents for more information. Meanwhile TEAGS representatives have met Ministers in both the then Department of Energy and Climate Change and Department of Transport, and County and District Councillors. It has carried out extensive mapping of the number households that would be affected by EDF’s use of the B1122 for construction and emergency traffic [3] and made a strong case for an alternative Sizewell relief road from the A12 to the Sizewell C site. TEAGS will be increasing pressure on the county and district councils to ensure that the group’s concerns about the decade-long construction phase have been loudly and formally registered.

Notes:

1. The UK Government’s conditions, as described by the BBC are:

– After Hinkley, the government will take a special share in all new nuclear plants.

– Full implications of foreign ownership of power stations will be scrutinised for the purposes of national security.

– The government will ensure foreign direct investment works in the country’s best interests.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/business-37320034

2. http://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/traffic_analysis_raises_serious_concerns_over_sizewell_c_1_4618024
3. www.stopsizewellc.org