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Wentworth Hotel owner fears Sizewell C will deter tourists forever
Read online: 02 March 2017 by Richard Cornwell
Hotelier Michael Pritt , owner of The Wentworth in Aldeburgh, has deep concerns about the impact of Sizewell C on tourism in the coastal area. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN
A leading Suffolk hotelier has voiced fears that the construction of Sizewell C could deter huge numbers of tourists from visiting the county – and that many may never return.
Hotelier Michael Pritt , owner of The Wentworth in Aldeburgh, has deep concerns about the impact of Sizewell C on tourism in the coastal area. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNMichael Pritt says the £14billion ten-year project to build the twin reaction will cause “irreparable damage and destroy this part of Suffolk as we know it now”.
Mr Pritt, who owns the Wentworth hotel, in Aldeburgh, and stresses he is not anti nuclear, has labelled the project Sizewell C and D as it will feature two reactors.
He said: “Not only will these plans have an enormous physical impact on the Suffolk countryside and coast but also have a drastic impact on the tourism in the area.
“The argument of increased employment opportunities has often been used to justify this tearing apart of our countryside but jobs connected to tourism far outweigh those provided by EDF and many of these jobs will be in jeopardy.
“Anyone in a tourist-related business who is rubbing their hands together in glee at the thought of business to be gained from Sizewell C and D needs to ask themselves why tourists would want to visit this area once construction starts and would they ever return when Sizewell C and D is completed.
“The construction compound, also situated near Eastbridge and the Minsmere bird reserve, will destroy ancient walks and bridleways, woodlands and marshes. An access road is planned which will cross the Sizewell marshes, a stunning part of our countryside and irreplaceable.
“The sheer scale of destruction is truly unimaginable and by the time you see it happening it will be too late to do anything to save it.”
An EDF Energy spokeswoman said: “More than 3,500 people took part in the Sizewell C Stage 2 consultation. Each issue raised will now be considered and used to help inform final proposals which will be subject to further consultation.
“EDF Energy works with the Suffolk Coast Destination Management Organisation and the group is represented on the project Community Forum to ensure their views are shared.
“We recognise that the construction of Sizewell C will have benefits and impacts so our focus is on consultation and learning from stakeholders so we can maximise the benefits.”
Study assessing ‘up to eight options’ for Sizewell C workforce campus
Research is being carried out into a number of alternative options for a campus for workers constructing the Sizewell C nuclear power station.
A computer-generated image of how the Sizewell nuclear complex would look after construction of Sizewell C. Image: EDF EnergyCurrent proposals for accommodation for 2,400 workers at Eastbridge, near Leiston, have been heavily criticised – with most councils and campaigners deeply unhappy at the location.
Now it has been revealed Suffolk County Council is carrying out research into what campaigners believe could be up to eight alternative sites or options for the campus.
Some campaigners would prefer to see several small sites located around the area rather than one huge village-sized block, while others believe the accommodation should be much further away – the edge of Ipswich or Lowestoft.
In its latest consultation, EDF puts forward only the site at of the junction of the B1122 and Eastbridge Road but various options for it – with buildings four or five storeys high depending on whether sports facilities are on-site or built in Leiston.
EDF feels a campus close to the construction site will have operational advantages and reduce bus journeys.
The county council says it understands the rationale of an accommodation campus located at or close to the construction site, but “remains concerned about the environmental impacts of the proposed site location, which may cause an overload on the sensitive environment of the AONB”.
Theberton and Eastbridge Action Group on Sizewell (TEAGS) said: “We do not understand EDF’s refusal to properly consider and report on alternative campus locations, perhaps multiple sites, in urban settings with suitable infrastructure in place.
“EDF insists that a single on-site campus is more ‘efficient’ – for the developer, perhaps, but not for residents or tourists.”
A Suffolk County Council spokesman said: “We are in the process of producing a report looking at the options surrounding the accommodation for those working on the Sizewell C project.
“When it is complete the report will be shared with all stakeholders to help inform further consultation and discussion with EDF Energy.
“We’ve asked EDF Energy to look again at their current plans as we are not convinced and we believe they need to do more work surrounding our concerns.”