Category Archives: News

Letter: Critics can only gawp at nuclear’s latest wish list

In the UK, the Nuclear Industry Association’s begging bowl runneth over (“Nuclear developers press for ‘prompt’ decision on new UK plants”, June 24). The NIA’s full report contains a barrage of demands including that development costs be paid for, an assured flow of orders and all risks covered by taxpayers or consumers. For an industry in global decline, beset by technical difficulties, overruns and overspends, this is audacious indeed.

Tom Burke Chairman, E3G

Dr Paul Dorfman University College London

Professor Stephen Thomas University of Greenwich

Alison Downes Executive Director, Stop Sizewell C

BBC 25 June Sizewell C: Nuclear power station plans accepted for scrutiny

June 25, 2020 Alison Downes

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-53176514

An application to build a new nuclear power station has been accepted for examination by the planning inspectorate.

Stop Sizewell C said it will continue to fight the application.

EDF Energy said in a statement: “The decision means the Inspectorate is satisfied that the eight years of public consultation by the project was conducted properly and that full examination of the proposals can now take place.”

But Alison Downes said the “quality of EDF’s consultations, held during the coronavirus pandemic, failed to provide required information”.

She added EDF “had not been transparent in its disclosures of environmental assessment or transport strategy” nor the plant’s impact on the local area.

Concerns about effective scrutiny of pre-application proposals during the lockdown restrictions was supported in letters from local MP Dr Dan Poulter and Suffolk County Council.

In a joint statement on Wednesday Suffolk County Council and East Suffolk Council said:

“The lack of a comprehensive set of documents up to this point has compromised the engagement that has taken place, and the Councils do not feel they have been able to complete their pre-application work with the Applicant (EDF Energy) to the extent set out by the Planning Act 2008,”

EDF Energy said a copy of the full planning application and supporting documents would become available on the Planning Inspectorate website.

EADT 24 June Councils join opposition groups in raising concerns over Sizewell C

June 25, 2020 Alison Downes

https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/sizewell-c-planning-application-opposition-reaction-1-6715723

Opposition groups alongside Suffolk County and East Suffolk councils have raised concerns over Sizewell C after plans moved another step forward.

Alison Downes from Stop Sizewell C PICTURE: RACHEL EDGE

Alison Downes, from Stop Sizewell C, said: “We maintain that Sizewell C does not fit the needs of the government or the country – building the wrong project in the wrong place is not the way to revive the UK’s economy.

“The benefits to Suffolk claimed by EDF are highly questionable and don’t consider the damage to our existing local economy including tourism, when that industry needs all the help it can get.”

Pete Wilkinson, chairman of Together Against Sizewell C, added: “We have to accept the reality that such a ridiculously inappropriate application has made it through the first hurdle, however improbable that is.

“If there is any sense of proportion and reason left in the UK or in this government, it will be laughed out of court.”

Richard Rout of Suffolk County Council has raised concerns over consultation from EDF Picture: SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL

Raising concerns over the nearby Minsmere reserve, RSPB Suffolk area manager Adam Rowlands said the organisation has seen no evidence the development would not have a detrimental impact on wildlife at the reserve and beyond.

Suffolk County Council, working alongside East Suffolk Council, has raised “serious concerns” over EDF’s consultation so far, after being asked to provide views by the planning inspectorate.

Richard Rout, chairman of Sizewell C Joint Local Authorities Group (JLAG), said it is “now especially important” EDF gives local communities the opportunity to scrutinise plans.

Mr Rout said: “Whilst we accept that EDF Energy may have passed the legal requirement they needed to meet in regards to public consultation for their proposed development at Sizewell, we strongly believe that the consultations to date have been hindered by significant gaps of information in the documentation provided.

“We will make our feelings clear to EDF Energy in regards to public engagement arrangements for such a development and if EDF Energy do decide to press on and start the process, we will be asking them to commit to an extended 84 day period at the very least.”

The Liberal Democrat, Green and Independent Group at Suffolk County Council will be submitting a motion next week calling on the council to publicly oppose the plans.