TV presenter Chris Packham urges Suffolk to "speak up" against Sizewell C
EDF Energy claims the plant will boost biodiversity in the area
Last updated 2nd Dec 2020
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Minsmere is calling on local residents to "speak up" against the proposed Sizewell C development.
Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin launched the RSPB’s and Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s new #LoveMinsmere e-action during a live online event last week.
The event aimed to raise awareness of the suspected dangers Sizewell C would pose to RSPB Minsmere, home to over 6000 types of animals, plants and fungi.
Chris Packham, Naturalist and TV presenter said during the event: “There have recently been reports that Sizewell C has been given the green light, and that is categorically untrue. It can not have been given the green light to progress because it’s yet to enter the examination.
"The reason that I’m telling you this is that although this is deemed to be a nationally important project, the decision has not yet been made to progress with it, which means, that you and I, us, everyone, still has the opportunity to influence that decision. That’s why we are so keen to ask you to take part in our action at loveminsmere.org. It’s your voice that can make a difference.”
A spokesperson from EDF Energy said: "Sizewell C will boost biodiversity. Biodiversity is under threat from climate change, which is predicted to be the biggest single future challenge to wildlife.
"Experts like the WWF say the inextricable link between the two means tackling biodiversity loss and climate change together is essential. The UK Government is committed to addressing climate change. Low carbon energy, from a mix of renewables and nuclear, is critical to achieving its legal commitment to cut CO2 emissions by 80% by 2050.
"At Sizewell, we’re not only working to address climate change. We have a proud, decades-long tradition of successfully caring for the land surrounding the power stations. There is no doubt that wildlife can thrive around power stations and Sizewell C would be no exception. We intend to continue our history of stewardship, with the estate due to grow by a third (to around 800 hectares) should the construction of Sizewell C go ahead. We will not waver in our commitment to protecting wildlife and contributing to the rich biodiverse landscape of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. In fact, our plans will improve local biodiversity, resulting in a net gain in land for wildlife and a 10% net gain in biodiversity overall.
"And we’ve carefully designed our plans around the local wildlife, including that at RSPB Minsmere. Sizewell C will not encroach onto the reserve and, where we border it, we are proposing to create a water storage area. This area will be transformed into wet woodland habitat, which supports a wide range of plants, invertebrates, birds and mammals, and reedbeds, which provide breeding habitats for many birds and invertebrates."