East Suffolk community leaders give mixed verdict to Sizewell C being granted nuclear site licence

Community leaders have expressed mixed reactions to Sizewell C being granted a nuclear site licence which will bring the project a huge step closer.

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) announced on Tuesday it had approved plans for the new power station, concluding it met all requirements set out in regulatory guidance.

Leaders in East Suffolk have raised both discontent and enthusiasm at Sizewell C moving closer, with concerns including impacts on wildlife, tourism and roads, while the potential economic benefits have been heralded.

Sizewell C said it will go to ‘great lengths’ to protect the environment and that its transport strategy will minimise disruption to residents.

While the granting of the licence is a significant step, it does not permit the start of nuclear-related construction on the site.

David Beavan, deputy leader of East Suffolk Council, said: “It’s just a complete waste of money – the wrong idea in the wrong place.

“It’s on an eroding coast, a massive development in our countryside which is massive for our tourism industry and we’re going to end up like an industrial site.

“We oppose it happening but accept that it’s probably going to happen now.”

Cllr Beavan added he did not believe it would assist in reaching net zero goals as, by the time it becomes operational, if nothing else was done it would be too late anyway.

The ONR previously prevented the granting of a licence in 2022 due to issues relating to the shareholders’ agreement and ownership of land at the site.

This is the first licence granted since Hinkley Point C, which Sizewell C will replicate, received approval in 2012.

Peter Aldous, MP for Waveney, is supportive of Sizewell C as he believes it will bring significant job opportunities to the area, as well as providing the nation with low carbon power for the future.

“The granting of this licence is all part of the process of moving towards construction and we’ll see this ramping up later this year.

“It brings great opportunities for our area and I will be working with local people and businesses to realise the most of this opportunity for the local area.”

The nuclear site licence will give the ONR greater regulatory oversight on the project and allows it to advise and challenge Sizewell C bosses as they progress their plans.

Lowestoft’s port will be used for much of the transportation of materials for Sizewell C to the Suffolk coast.

Julian Cusack, Green Party prospective parliamentary candidate for Suffolk Coastal, said: “We are seriously concerned that the project is now looking more and more inevitable.

“There are hugely important wildlife areas within the site such as the Sizewell Marshes, while we are also concerned about the impacts on traffic and local residents.

“If we felt that it was a really strong case, that we have to have a nuclear power station, perhaps we would be saying that some place has to take it, but the analysis suggests it’s a white elephant.”

Mr Cusack said he believed there was a good chance the project would not be delivered on time and would run over budget.

Dr Therese Coffey, MP for Suffolk Coastal, said: "This is a good step forward and I'm pleased that the regulator responsible for nuclear safety has now granted the site licence."

Sizewell C will utilise a variety of transport methods, including sea and rail, to bring construction materials to the site.

This includes work with Network Rail to deliver improvements to the East Suffolk Line.

A spokesperson for Sizewell C said: “Sizewell C is going to great lengths to protect the environment.

“The project has already created significant new habitats for wildlife and overall, our efforts will lead to a 19 per cent net gain in biodiversity.

“Our transport strategy is designed to minimise disruption to residents. By moving at least 60 per cent of our freight by sea and rail, we’ll significantly reduce the amount of construction traffic on local roads.”

The spokesperson added Sizewell C’s transport plans are based on eight years’ worth of feedback from East Suffolk communities, with whom the power station will continue to work.