EDF Executives from the local area and from London met with the Theberton and Eastbridge Actions Group on Sizewell on 15 April 2014.

Before the meeting in Theberton’s Jubilee Hall, TEAGS members took four senior EDF executives on a short a minibus tour of the parish, and along a stretch of the B1122, to highlight some our concerns and to impress on them the extraordinary qualities of this place. They spoke to a few local residents on the way. The weather was perfect.

EDF then gave a project update and feedback on the various consultations so far. TEAGS set out our concerns about the nature of some aspects of the consultations, such as the continued lack of key information, the campus maps that crop out Eastbridge, the limited response time at Stage 1, and so on.

The main focus of this workshop was accommodation, but transport, environment, light and noise pollution, mental health, emergency evacuation, and impact on tourism were also discussed. EDF has agreed we will have further workshop meetings in the autumn to discuss transport and environment in more detail.

EDF strongly defended their campus site choice as the most economical, as an attractive option for contractors, and citing the need to attract ‘high calibre workers’ and to avoid adding to road traffic. Our impression was that it will be an uphill struggle to persuade EDF to seriously consider alternatives, such as dispersed accommodation that could, in due course, become legacy housing.

We will continue our dialogue with the developer on all the concerns of this parish, and of the many visitors who come to share our enjoyment of this magical place.

Minutes of this workshop, agreed with EDF, are now available here

East Anglian Daily Times, 2 June 2014. http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/sizewell_groups_unite_in_protest_against_power_plant_plans_1_3623743

Opponents of a third nuclear power station on the Suffolk coast gathered to walk in protest against the proposed development.

Campaigners from three groups, established in response to EDF Energy’s plan to build Sizewell C, marched with local residents along the B1122 – the proposed main route for the construction site near Leiston.

Together Against Sizewell C (TASC) organised the Yoxford to Sizewell walk with the B1122 Action Group and Theberton and Eastbridge Action Group (TEAG) in order to “draw attention to the impact Sizewell C will have on the area”. The groups also share concerns about the impact of an accommodation village for construction workers.

TASC’s acting chairman Pete Wilkinson, called the proposals “monstrous”. He added: “This development will cause major destruction to an area of outstanding natural beauty, our coast and to sites of special scientific interest and must be stopped.

“We appreciate that those facing 600 lorry movements a day are naturally concerned first and foremost with a relief road, but if the development goes ahead, the entire nature of the area will be changed as it is urbanised by the proposed Sizewell C two nuclear reactor development, which will be the largest civil engineering project this county has ever seen. Add to this the associated developments in East Suffolk which include Hacheston and Darsham, and we must recognise the development of Sizewell C would change the ambience of the area as we know it and must be stopped in its tracks. Mitigation is just that, and it cannot replace that which is lost, including our way of life.”

EDF Energy stressed that no final decisions have been made over transport links, accommodation and other issues, though it has preferred options.

Further consultation will take place this year, with a third stage in 2015, before final proposals are submitted to the Planning Inspectorate.

The firm said stage two will provide more details on transport, preliminary environmental information and associated development sites.

A spokeswoman said: “We respect the rights of individuals to peaceful protest but are mindful of the impact this can have on local communities.

“EDF Energy continues to consult widely on plans for Sizewell C. At the latest community forum the company announced that three rounds of consultation are now being proposed, instead of the planned two stage process, to ensure people have the chance to have their say on the emerging plans. The details for the consultation strategy will be formally submitted to the local authorities in a ‘Statement of Community Consultation’ in the coming weeks.”