Hundreds gather for protest against Sizewell C reactor
Protestors warned we risk being 'locked in' to a nuclear future
Last updated 16th May 2022
Protesters against the building of the Sizewell C nuclear power station in East Suffolk gathered at the proposed site this weekend.
Hundreds of people turned out, many with banners reading "chaos coast coming soon", "EDF-off" and "we don't want to be beside the C".
The crowd marched from Leiston to Sizewell beach.
The demonstration took place days after ministers deferred a decision on whether to grant development consent by six weeks.
Earlier this week, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy set a new deadline of 8th July as it seeks more information on issues such as water supply.
Negotiations between the Government and French project developer EDF started last year.
Campaigners say the delay is a recognition of the project's problems including water supply, transport, coastal erosion and biodiversity.
Alison Downes of Stop Sizewell C said: "A decision to go ahead with Sizewell C would be a wrong decision.
"EDF has clearly not taken this community with them, and the Government has totally betrayed the faith of local people in due process by repeated commitments to Sizewell C when it doesn't have planning consent, let alone a final investment decision."
Adrian Ramsay, co-leader of the Green Party, said: "Building a nuclear power station with the kind of subsidy the Government is talking about will lock in raised electricity prices for years to come.
"Renewably generated electricity is now far, far cheaper and will deliver far more sustainable jobs for Suffolk people and its independent businesses than this expensive white elephant."
The large-scale Suffolk station is part of a fleet of new nuclear power plants at the heart of the Government's energy strategy, in which Prime Minister Boris Johnson last month set out aims to boost new nuclear power, offshore wind and hydrogen.
WATCH: Campaigners gathered to raise their concerns about the Sizewell C plans
In January, the Government announced £100 million of funding to support Sizewell C's continued development, with the move aimed to attract further financing from private investors.
If built, Sizewell C would power the equivalent of about six million homes, as well as support up to 10,000 jobs in Suffolk and across the UK.
Its construction is expected to cost around £20 billion and it would be a near-identical replica of Hinkley Point C, the plant currently under construction in Somerset.
Hundreds gathered for the protest at the weekend:
All the speakers at the Sizewell C Protest
All the speakers at the Sizewell C Protest.
Louise Gooch Labour, Kirkley & Pakefield and David Beavan Liberal Democrat, Southwold, Reydon and Walberswick. Invitations were extended to two Conservative councillors but they were unavailable.
