Suffolk Coastal is reiterating its calls on the Government to
ensure that there is a real local say to ensure local issues are
fully taken into account in any future planning process for a new
nuclear power station at Sizewell.
“The Government has today (Monday) announced that a planning
application for Sizewell will now be fast-tracked but we want it to
stick to its other main promise that it will also make the planning
process fairer,” said Cllr Andrew Nunn, Cabinet Member for the
Green Environment and Cllr Andy Smith, Cabinet Member for
Planning.
“We strongly believe that local communities should have their
say - with the right to reject plans for a Sizewell C if, after
detailed consideration of the local issues, that is seen to be the
correct decision for this district and its very special countryside
in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
“What we want are guarantees that the views of local people, and
this Council as their representative, will have a real influence on
the decision. We do not want to lose the right to control the
impact that any proposed development could have on the unique
environment around Sizewell – this district’s local knowledge and
requirements must be taken into account.
“We will now be closely examining today’s very detailed
statement published by the Government to see if it is ready to
allow local views on the issues to genuinely influence the process
and the decision, both in principle and in detail,” added Cllrs
Nunn and Smith.
In 2003, the Government said there would be the fullest public
consultation before any decision to proceed with building of a new
power station. Suffolk Coastal wants this commitment to be adhered
to – in a genuine and meaningful way - and has previously
demanded that any fast-tracking of planning applications must not
deny the chance for the local voice to be heard and acted
on.
Among the key local issues that the Council has identified that
would need to be addressed in the planning process are the fact
that Sizewell is within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the
Heritage Coast and close to internationally important sites for
wildlife. The choice of the design of any proposed station, and the
overall effect on the landscape, must fully take this into
account.
Possible effects on coastal erosion on the site, a minimising of
the disruption caused if a new power station is built, and generous
compensation for the local community are also issues raised by the
Council.
There is also a call for any new nuclear plant, including the
effect of other generating resources at, or routed via, Sizewell,
such as the offshore wind farms, to be of such a size that the
existing transmission lines at Sizewell, upgraded if necessary, can
be used, rather than needing new power lines and pylons to be
erected in the surrounding countryside in the Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty.
Other issues that need to be considered and decided locally include
the design and location of housing and facilities for the
workforce, transport on and off site, construction noise, and the
possible storage of spent nuclear
waste.