Following the acceptance of the Sizewell C planning application for examination EDF have issued a list of pledges to the community in East Suffolk and published a summary of their proposals.
Humphrey Cadoux Hudson, Sizewell C Managing Director, said: “This is an important moment for the project and the county. Many opportunities lie ahead if the project continues to move forward; access to skilled long term jobs, a boost to the education system and a pathway to economic recovery. We are committed to delivering these opportunities whilst always being sensitive to the communities living near the construction site and the local environment. It remains our priority to maximise the benefits of Sizewell C for the East Suffolk area whilst minimising the potential disruption.”
Sizewell C pledges to:
- Minimise disruption to local communities during the construction of Sizewell C.
- Invest in local employment, education and skills. This includes an aim to enable 1000 apprenticeships.
- Support the growth of the local economy. This includes measures to support local firms in gaining work on the project
- Transport 40% of construction materials by rail and sea, significantly reducing the number of Sizewell C HGVs on local roads
Respect the Suffolk heritage coast and minimise impact on RSPB Minsmere, National Trust Dunwich Heath and Leiston Abbey - Return the temporary construction area to a standard benefiting the AONB following construction.
- Remove the accommodation campus and caravan site, the park and ride sites, the rail extension of the Saxmundham to Leiston branch line and the freight management facility following construction and restore the land.
- Support the Suffolk coast tourism sector to offset impacts from construction through the provision of a Tourism Fund.
- Provide a comprehensive 24/7 on-site occupational health service for workers, a residual healthcare contribution and a Public Services Contingency Fund.
- Require all workers to sign a Worker Code of Conduct and enforce it – as we have done successfully at Hinkley Point C.
- Enhance the economic, social and environmental well-being of local communities through the provision of a Community Fund.
The detail of the pledges and how they will be delivered is in the planning application.
Sizewell C would help tackle the climate crisis whilst delivering low carbon power to 6 million homes and provide a vital boost to jobs, skills, education and training for decades to come.
The newsletter will be sent to local people in the coming days and outlines all the details on how the public will be able to access the proposals – both online and in hard copy – from the official start of the pre-examination process on 8 July 2020.
During the pre-examination stage, anyone with views on the application can register their interest with the Planning Inspectorate. This stage of the process is required to run for 28 days but EDF has extended the period to run up to 30 September – a total of 12 weeks. Physical copies of the DCO will be accessible at the Sizewell C Information Office and on a mobile library.
A copy of the full planning application and supporting documents are available on the Planning Inspectorate website.
The timing is right to start the process for the public to be able to view the planning application with new guidelines in place for social distancing. We will ensure they have every opportunity to read the planning application for this project which will leave a positive legacy for years to come.
Source: Sizewell C Media Team