East Suffolk Lib Dems response to the Consultation on changes to the Sizewell C project

East Suffolk Liberal Democrats response to the Consultation on changes to the Sizewell C project

East Suffolk Liberal Democrat's (ESLD) have now submitted their response to EDF plans for a new nuclear power station at Sizewell and the party remains firmly opposed to the construction and operation of Sizewell C

In its latest submission to EDF the party says: The changes EDF have proposed in this fifth consultation do nothing to alleviate the overall environmental, economic and social damage to the East Suffolk area and consequently to the wellbeing and livelihoods of its residents. The new proposals simply shift the negative impacts says the party.

...It is clear from the presentation of the proposals that EDF is unsure of the viability of these proposed changes while at the same time, given the scale and scope of detail of the document, they question why EDF could not have made these proposals in its PINs submission a few months ago. Both of these facts further undermine EDF's credibility and so are further cause for concern.

Regarding the new proposals: the party reflects upon the continuing concerns about the negative impact of increased traffic volumes, coastal damage and rail transport.

The party continues to highlight:

• the damage and destruction of the environment the construction will cause, the social impacts: the construction of the site will bring and additonal pressures on housing, blue-light services, health services and recreational facilities.

• the proposed overdevelopment of housing for 3000 workers, the construction of a large site caravan park and the proposed use by EDF of Innocence Farm in Kirton recently rejected for use for the expansion of the Port of Felixstowe the site would eventually become a brownfield site and be open to future industrial or housing development.

In its conclusion, the party says the new proposals do not change ESLD opposition to the construction of a new nuclear power station at Sizewell as they do not reduce the overall negative environmental, economic and social impacts that the construction would wreak upon the area.... the fact that EDF is unsure of the viability of these new proposals which have been put forward seemingly as an "afterthought" to the PINs submission this summer raise further questions as to EDF's appropriateness to undertake such a project. Lastly, there is the question of the value and purpose of the power station itself. ESLD reiterate our view that the power station will prove to be a very costly white elephant for which consumers and taxpayers will again pay the price.

Finally the party says:

The national debate on energy has also moved on significantly since the project was first announced; given renewable electricity generation trends and other available energy generating solutions, it is questionable whether there will be a need in 2034 for the power that Sizewell C is planned eventually to generate.

To read the full submission to EDF on its latest proposed changes:

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