Final consultation round gets underway for EDF’s Sizewell C

The final round of public consultation on EDF’s plans for a new nuclear power station in coastal Suffolk is due to kick off today (4 January).

EDF Energy has announced the third stage of consultation on its Sizewell C plant, which would be located adjacent to the existing B plant.

Following the end of the consultation period in late March, EDF is due to submit an application for a development consent order for the project to the Planning Inspectorate.

The new plant is proposed on land adjacent to the existing Sizewell B plant, which was opened in 1995 following what was then the longest public inquiry in UK planning history.

The plans presented by EDF include associated development needed to enable construction, such as park and ride sites and various options for road and rail improvements.

EDF has said it hopes Sizewell will be one-fifth cheaper than its Hinkley Point C scheme through a combination of less expensive financing and by redeploying existing teams to Suffolk once the construction of the Somerset project is complete.

EDF will showcase its proposals at a string of exhibitions in local schools and colleges, which will aim to demonstrate how the project will boost skills levels across the surrounding area.

Jim Crawford, Sizewell C project development director, said: “Sizewell C will bring significant benefit to the East of England – jobs, education and skills development, as well as opportunities for local businesses.

“Our sister project in Somerset, Hinkley Point C, is already delivering, with government figures showing south west companies winning contracts worth more than £1.3 billion.

“By working innovatively with local Somerset firms to ensure they can bid for big contracts, we have already spent £650 million in the region. We want to deliver the same benefits for the East of England.”