With the construction of the nuclear power station likely to take more than a decade, it will cause enormous disruption across a wide area – affecting tourism, the environment, traffic, and people’s day-to-day lives.

Action groups believe the Government, having designated the county’s coast as a location for a new nuclear build, needs to take a more active role in the project because of the sensitive nature of the site.

Alison Downes, co-chairman of Theberton and Eastbridge Action Group on Sizewell (TEAGS), said: “The Suffolk coast is a completely different site from Hinkley Point, which is a brownfield site, and needs to be treated very differently.

“Essentially, this is a proposal for Sizewell C and Sizewell D as one project and will have an enormous impact.

“We want to meet the Government ministers involved to ensure they fully understand what is happening. At the moment we just feel there is not enough intervention or oversight or recognition of the sensitivity of this area and the need for a special approach.”

TEAGS believes some of the impacts will be magnified by the sheer scale of the proposed development. It has asked EDF: “Is there merit in a review of the size of the development, and the benefits that could be achieved by a reduction in scale?”

Along with the B1122 Action Group, Minsmere Levels Stakeholder Group and others, TEAGS is trying to set up meetings with Jesse Norman, under secretary of state for industry and energy, and under secretary of state for transport, Andrew Jones.

Charles Macdowell, of the B1122 Action Group, said: “EDF seems to have a one-size-fits-all model for two reactors and two turbine halls.

“They are building a power station at Flamanville, then put forward the exact same one for Hinkley Point C, and then the exact same one for Sizewell C.”

EDF Energy’s Stage Two consultation for the project has now closed and the company has this week started the process of analysing the responses, which it says it will take into account as it prepares to finalise its plans.

http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/sizewell_c_campaigners_say_government_must_take_bigger_role_on_power_station_project_1_4880869

Campaigners welcome Suffolk’s tougher stance on Sizewell C concerns

17:30 01 February 2017, East Anglian Daily Times, Andrew Hirst

Group members and Suffolk county councillors, pictured outside Endeavour House before Suffolk County Council’s extraordinary cabinet meeting.

Suffolk County Council’s cabinet agreed its official response to EDF Energy’s latest Sizewell C consultation this week, calling for more evidence and other options to be considered.

Councillors Michael Gower and Richard Smith also called for Suffolk to take a more “robust” role. Mr Gower said Suffolk needed a 12-point action plan.

Theberton and Eastbridge Action Group on Sizewell (TEAGS) and B1122 Action Group, have welcomed the response, which was created with Suffolk Coastal District Council.

The groups have previously raised concerns over proposals for a five-storey accommodation campus near RSPB Minsmere and to use the B1122 as a main transport route, as well as environmental issues to do with the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. TEAGS’ Alison Downes, who called for a “full review of potential alternative sites for the accommodation campus” during the meeting, said her members had been “heartened by the strong words” on the key issues.

“We echo the call by councillors Gower and Smith for the council’s position to be strengthened still further, including the idea of a 12 point plan to lay down stringent terms to EDF for the development of Sizewell C,” she added.

“Such a plan must include dispersal of the worker accommodation, a dedicated relief road, no quarries or spoil heaps and dramatically increased commitments on environmental protection.”

Charles Macdowell, of the B1122 Action Group, added: “The two councils have called EDF’s bluff. EDF are only now kidding themselves when they say that the narrow B1122 can take as many as 1,500 HGVs and buses a day without real risks to local people, and damage to their homes. Their stubborn refusal to consider a relief road is now indefensible. We have been hugely reassured by both Councils’ determination to stick up for local people and their very real concerns.”

Bob Hoggar, of Together Against Sizewell C, also spoke at the meeting, saying the power station would harm the AONB.

EDF said it had engaged with more than 3,500 people during the consultation and there would be further opportunities for people to put their views forward.

http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/campaigners_welcome_suffolk_s_tougher_stance_on_sizewell_c_concerns_1_4872376