Despite an EDF statement on 18th January, claiming that, “[Its] Advance [preparatory] works [for Sizewell C] are reversible in the unlikely event Sizewell C will not proceed to a Final Investment Decision and full construction”, TASC is shocked and disgusted to discover that EDF will renege on that promise when, on 1st March, EDF begins to destroy wet woodland, a legally protected priority ‘Biodiversity Action Plan’ habitat, located in Sizewell Marshes Site of Special Scientific Interest. Despite EDF knowing full well that we are now entering the bird, bat and reptile breeding season, it has already begun felling woodland in Goose Hill, as part of its plan to clear over 40 hectares – including the felling of some ancient trees – to make way for Sizewell C’s car park.
TASC’s Chair, Jenny Kirtley said “These actions create permanent and irreversible environmental loss to East Suffolk’s Heritage Coastal biodiversity and is in direct contradiction of the government’s ‘green agenda’. Despite EDF’s claim, it is not possible to reverse such losses and represents further eco-vandalism which goes hand-in-glove with the construction of a redundant and unnecessary nuclear plant which may never commence construction. Sizewell C has yet to make a Final Investment Decision, does not have a site licence from the Office for Nuclear Regulation, nor three outstanding environmental permits needed from the Environment Agency. Furthermore, the project’s DCO approval is subject to TASC’s judicial review proceedings scheduled to take place in the High Court on 22nd and 23rd March. We have asked the Secretary of State for Defra and the MP for Suffolk Coastal to intervene and to stop the work at least until these uncertainties around Sizewell C’s various authorisations have been granted.’.
Suffolk Coastal Friends of the Earth coordinator Rachel Fulcher said “Wet woodland provides a very particular habitat for invertebrates and fungi, with some specialists not found at all in any other habitat. This is why it’s so important. It’s not just the loss of trees from the SSSI, which is bad enough, it’s the loss of everything dependent upon them. This habitat has legal protection as a UK Priority habitat under section 41 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 ”
Paul Collins, Chair of Stop Sizewell C said “EDF’s communications with local communities leaves much to be desired. Why claim that works are reversible when they are clearly not? It only serves to strengthen the lack of trust. Now that at least one government official has a seat on the board of Sizewell C, we expect more intervention to ensure that Sizewell C Co. informs local communities well in advance of their actions on the ground, and that promises and pledges are adhered to. It is unacceptable that prior to a Final Investment Decision that irreversible actions are about to be taken.”
