Campaigners' anger as energy firm applies to start work at Hinkley
It might be years before it gets approval for the next generation of nuclear power stations in Somerset, but EDF is already poised to begin bulldozing barns and removing ancient hedges at the proposed Hinkley C site.
Campaigners opposed to the French energy giant's plans have claimed the move is "immoral".
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EDF is to apply to West Somerset Council and the Marine Management Organisation for permission for site preparation work and a temporary jetty.
But yesterday English Heritage revealed "strong reservations" that the company was proposing to do the work, before winning approval for the new nuclear reactors. EDF has already been granted licences to relocate badgers and this is under way.
Stop Hinkley spokesman Jim Duffy said: "EDF plans to dynamite and bulldoze much of a 435-acre site. Some of the work is expected to start as early as this autumn with special licences, including removing 21 badger groups and demolishing three historic barns thought to be the habitats for bats."
He added: "Legal advice we have received tells us this salami-slicing of the planning process may well be illegal. Trashing this huge greenfield site is extremely premature as none of the major consents are anywhere near being in place. EDF hope to get the nod from the local authority to keep up the momentum of its juggernaut plan, but if it's not illegal it's certainly immoral."
Consent to build the two nuclear reactors must be won from the Government. An application is not expected until December.
An English Heritage spokesman said: "While English Heritage does not object to the idea of a nuclear power station being built on the site, we have strong reservations over EDF carrying out preparatory work before full planning permission is granted."
EDF said it had indicated for some time that it would be applying for consents for early preliminary works.
A spokesman said: "This is entirely in-keeping with planning law, policy and practice. The works would involve site preparation and the construction of a temporary sea jetty.
"We have already consulted widely on the scope of the preliminary works both with the public and with a range of organisations, including environmental and archaeological groups, as part of our extensive consultations for the new power station."
4 Comments
by Pete Rowberry, Sizewell Suffolk
Thursday, August 19 2010, 10:57AM
“How can we accept that these major works which will only be required IF building a nuclear power station is approved and which it will be impossible to reverse if approval is denied? It seems EdF and the government are trying to bully us into having new nuclear power whether we need it or not (and I can prove that we don't!)”
by Pete Rowberry, Sizewell, Suffolk
Thursday, August 19 2010, 10:43AM
“How can we accept works of this scale and nature, which are unlikely to be able to be reveresed once completed, when the reason for the works has not been given planning approval? What protection are we getting from local representatives if they approve this kind of application? It seems we do not live in a democracy any more.”
by Alex, Cannington Somerset
Wednesday, August 18 2010, 10:43PM
“This should not be allowed to happen. There needs to be a ntional raising of awareness of this matter. EDF have failed to listen to the wishes of the local population, and intend to "Blitzkrieg" their way through, and build the powerstation no matter what.”
by Alex Reed, Cannington Somerset
Wednesday, August 18 2010, 10:41PM
“Surely what I've just read cannot be allowed to happen. There needs to be a national compaign to highlight this, and how a French company can destroy habitat and way of life in order to build their power station. EDF are ignoring pressure regards taking inordinate traffic off the oversubscribed A39 through Bridgwater. The road is designated as a red-route, however they seem to dismiss all public reaction. > THEY MUST BE BROUGHT TO TASK & LISTEN TO LOCAL FEELING <”