Stage 4 Feedback
ENVIRONMENT
Additional foraging land for marsh harriers was welcomed although some respondents insisted the full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) should be published.
The EIA is an evolving set of data and conclusions informed by consultation and on-the-ground surveys and assessments. We are currently undertaking several environmental studies including archaeological trial-trenching, bat surveys and badger sett monitoring to feed in to the content of the Sizewell C EIA.
The EIA will be submitted and published as an Environmental Statement with the planning application. This will be fully accessible to the public.
The environmental sensitivities of the local area have been a key consideration in the development of our proposals. We have held regular workshops involving the Environment Agency, Natural England, the local planning authorities, the RSPB and the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, to look closely at how to minimise the impact of building Sizewell C on the local environment.
TRANSPORT
The majority of respondents preferred a strategy that incorporated as much use of the railways as possible for the delivery of freight to the Sizewell C site.
As well as road and rail being used for deliveries, very heavy loads would be delivered by sea to a beach landing facility.
EDF is currently undertaking more air quality and noise monitoring in a range of locations and the outcomes of these surveys will inform proposals for mitigation we will include in the planning application.
For the Sizewell Link Road, which would bypass communities on the B1122, there was a mix of views regarding its restoration: there was some support for making the bypass temporary, however just as many were opposed, feeling that approach would lack legacy benefits.
While the two villages bypass of Stratford St Andrew and Farnham was generally welcomed there were a number of respondents who proposed changes to the route.
JOBS AND SKILLS
Respondents were clear: the apprenticeship opportunities and employment vacancies must be focussed on local people.
In order to prepare for the jobs required on site and eventually the operation of Sizewell C, we are working with local schools, colleges, Inspire Suffolk, Access Communities Trust and the local authorities on strategies and activities to provide local residents with the skills and qualifications required for this major project.
We have funded the launch of the Youth Employment Service hub in Leiston.
You can find the hub on Leiston High Street, next door to the Sizewell C Information Office.
What’s Next?
We will be submitting the planning application for a Development Consent Order to build Sizewell C this year. We would expect a decision by late 2021.
Once we have submitted the application, we will issue a newsletter outlining the submitted proposals. This year we will also submit applications for environmental permits to the Environment Agency.
The Environment Agency’s Role in Permitting Nuclear Sites
The Environment Agency is responsible for regulating environmental protection at nuclear sites, ensuring that people and the environement are properly protected.
In order to build and operate a new nuclear power station at Sizewell, EDF will need a number of environmental permits from the Environment Agency. These cover the work and the controls that EDF need to put into place for construction, commissioning, operation and decommissioning of any new power station.
Activities requiring environmental permits include: radioactive waste discharges and disposals; abstraction from and discharges to controlled waters (including rivers, estuaries and the sea); operating specific plant (including back-up generators and boilers); assessing and cleaning-up contaminated land, disposal of conventional waste; and work on or that could affect flood protection features.
Applications are due to be submitted to the Environment Agency in early 2020 for three permits required to operate a nuclear power station: Radioactive Substances Regulation; Water Discharge Activities; and Combustion Activities. Once it has received these applications it will run a period of public consultation during which you’ll be able to provide comments. This consultation will be advertised through various local routes.
You can sign up for the Environment Agency’s nuclear regulation e-bulletin by emailing: SizewellCNNB@environment-agency.gov.uk