Concerns raised over impact proposed power station in Suffolk will have on wildlife

The RSPB and Suffolk Wildlife Trust (SWT) have raised concerns over EDF's Sizewell C Development Consent Order (DCO), claiming critical evidence surround wildlife is missing.

Both charities say they are disappointed with the final application, as they raised initial concerns during public consultations.

RSPB Suffolk Area Manager, Adam Rowlands, said: "One of our biggest worries is the impacts on marine life. We are concerned by the incomplete data and methods used to draw limited assessments on the impacts. Without a more thorough assessment, we are concerned that a cocktail of toxic chemicals and a huge amount of dead fish could be pumped into the sea.

"This could reduce food supplies for important seabirds like terns and red-throated divers that forage just offshore from RSPB Minsmere. These birds could also be disturbed by movements from ships and dredgers off the coast. This could have significant impacts on our already fragile local seabird populations.

"The extensive lack of detail extends to the proposals on land too, which could be disastrous for some of our much-loved animals like water voles and otters that call this area home. We are in an ecological emergency, a time when we need to revive our world, big builds should not only protect existing nature, but also enhance it. These plans don’t even come close to meeting this need."

Ben McFarland, SWT's Head of Conservation, added: "EDF’s plans leave some of our rarest animals facing an uncertain fate.

"The hibernation site of rare natterjack toads, a species with only a handful of colonies left in England, will be built on – a major blow for an animal that is already struggling. Bats, including threatened barbastelle bats, could also suffer as the current plans will fragment their habitat. They will also be disturbed by increased levels of noise and light."

EDF has told Greatest Hits Radio they want to build with a "high regard" to local wildlife.

In a statement, the energy company said: "We are facing a climate crisis with profound risks to the environment, wildlife and people. We need to act now to decarbonise the electricity system and replace fossil fuels and the existing nuclear fleet reaching the end of their lives.

"Sizewell C will generate always-on, low carbon electricity made in Britain for around 6 million homes. Together with other nuclear projects, it will underpin a big expansion of renewables and kick-start new green technologies like hydrogen.

"We look forward to seeing the representations from SWT and RSPB as their experience and expertise can inform us what they believe the right mitigation measures should be. We want to build it in the most sustainable way possible and with a high regard to local wildlife. That is why we are working on replacement habitat now.

"We have designated an extra 250 hectares of land for wildlife as part of our plans for Sizewell C, including at Aldhurst Farm in Leiston and fen meadow habitat creation sites in Halesworth and Benhall.

"CEFAS, the government experts on marine life based in Lowestoft have been working for the project for a number of years to fully understand the Suffolk coastline where we would like to build Sizewell C. Their work has informed our plans which are shared in the Environmental Statement which is publicly available.

"At Sizewell C, we value the importance of biodiversity. We have carried out an extensive survey programme over the years and engaged with environmental organisations to understand the local ecology. That’s why our main development site will be built and operated with sensitivity to the local environment, leaving a positive legacy that will include a net gain for biodiversity."

• suffolk
• wildlife
• rspb
• sizewell c
• edf