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Sizewell C Project Update
January 2019
Introducing Paul Morton
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Following the successful completion of four stages of public consultation for Sizewell C, Jim Crawford, Project Development Director, has retired as planned and former Sizewell B Station Director Paul Morton now takes on responsibility for leading on local engagement for the Sizewell C project.
I am delighted to be taking on this role at a vital time in tackling the climate crisis and maintaining the generation of electricity we need in an increasingly electrified and low-carbon economy.

Several of Britain’s power stations will shut by 2030 and we urgently need to replace them. We must make sure this new energy infrastructure emits the lowest levels of carbon possible. Renewable sources like solar and wind energy will play a major role - but Britain is facing an energy gap that we cannot fill with renewables alone.

We need to act now to secure reliable electricity to fill the gap – and nuclear is the only constant low-carbon source we have. 

Following four stages of public consultation since 2012, where we have met with over 10,000 local residents and stakeholders, this year we will submit the application for development consent to build Sizewell C, a power station that would generate enough safe low-carbon electricity to power 6 million homes. 

It is an important milestone. I want to make sure that EDF’s proposals for Sizewell C deliver the minimum disruption possible and the maximum benefits to Suffolk.

I had the privilege of being Station Director of Sizewell B and I worked with a team of dedicated, local experts who worked everyday to deliver safe, low-carbon electricity to over 2 million homes. I want to see the highly skilled, well-paid jobs Sizewell C will create taken up by local people. My team has already taken action on this as we report in this newsletter.

The public consultation on Sizewell C might be over but communication will not stop. It is important for us as a neighbour and local business to be accessible to you and to be ready to answer any questions you have so please don’t hesitate to contact us at Sizewell C Information Office. 

Best regards,

Paul Morton
Stage 4 Feedback
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Consultation
Stage 4 public consultation on Sizewell C ran from July to September 2019 and was focused on a limited set of issues and proposals, principally on:
  • an integrated transport strategy combining road and rail use for the delivery of freight to site; 
  • additional land for wildlife mitigation measures; 
  • whether proposed bypasses for the B1122 should be permanent or temporary;
  • more details on the jobs and skills required for construction.
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.
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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.
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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?
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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
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The Environment Agency is responsible for regulating environmental protection at nuclear sites, ensuring that people and the environment 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  

View GOV.UK for more information about environmental permits: www.gov.uk/government/publications/environmental-permits-when-and-how-we-consult.

Search for “Sizewell” on GOV.UK for more information about the Environment Agency’s input and advice to the project proposals.
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Call us: Freephone 0800 197 6102*

Email us: info@sizewellc.co.uk

*Calls on 0800 numbers are normally free when you call from a landline but charges may vary if you use a mobile.
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