The Suffolk Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership acknowledges the Secretary of State decision to award the Sizewell C project development consent.

The development will be one of the largest constructions in Europe and perhaps the biggest built development in a nationally designated landscape.  The AONB Partnership hope that many of the benefits of the Sizewell C project claimed by the developer will come to fruition, new high skilled jobs drawn from the local community, low carbon electricity generation and environment gains.

Since the site was first identified as a site for a new nuclear power station there has been an acknowledgement of the damage that will be inflicted on the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty during the 9-12 years construction and 60 year operation and decommissioning.

Nick Collinson, chair of the AONB Partnership said:

The AONB Partnership has always considered that the proposals for the introduction of two European Pressurised Water (EPR) reactors into the area will cause significant harm to the area’s landscape and ability of part of the AONB to deliver its statutory purpose to conserve and enhance natural beauty. This part of England has been designated for its nature, tranquillity and scenic quality, much of which will be lost or damaged during the 9-12 year construction. The Partnership will of course work constructively with EDF to ensure mitigation and compensation is maximised to minimise the damage to this special part of the world

Nick Collinson continues

The AONB Partnership recognises that the decision to include the Sizewell site as one for new nuclear was made many years ago. It notes that this decision recognised that such a development will cause significant harm to the AONB. The AONB Partnership have always considered that the proposals that were put forward, and that have now secured consent, are not suitable for a nationally designated landscape, in terms of their scale and impacts on natural beauty, but this argument was not accepted by the decision makers. The AONB Partnership will seek to work closely with the developer to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of this special part of the coast.

Cllr Andrew Reid, chair of the AONB’s Joint Advisory Committee said:

The scale of this development will cause harm to the AONB but now that the decision has been made to go ahead, the AONB and others will work tirelessly with the Sizewell C Company to ensure that funds set aside to compensate and mitigate the damage are invested wisely and deliver the best possible benefit for nature and local communities.

Simon Amstutz, manager of the AONB staff team adds:

It has been a privilege working with so many members of the AONB Partnership over many years in an attempt to influence the proposals to minimise the impacts on the development on the area’s natural beauty. While the damage to the AONB is inevitable the AONB staff team and Partnership will continue engage with the Sizewell C Company to deliver the best possible delivery of mitigation and compensation packages and the emerging Environment Trust associated with the project.

ENDS

For more information on the AONB Partnerships responses to Sizewell C consultations please visit the Planning section of our website or contact AONB Manager at [email protected] or phone 07971 909 649.