Somerset Village Life Interrupted By Energy Company.

[Madmills]

In the county i live, residents are trying to get their voices heard on the effect EDF will have on their local communities as they enlarge the nearby Power Station.

I've given a link to a You Tube clip if you'd like to hear about this.

YouTube - Man in the street. An EDF special.

[Guinnessman1974]

A lot is at stake here, with the effects of traffic and noise pollution, damage to ancient habitat and the effect on wildlife and biodiversity.

There is little doubt that we have to move away from the more traditional coal fired power station - both in regard to energy security and reducing the impact of climate change - to nuclear and renewables for electricity generation.

However, a full consultation must be open to the appropriate siting of nuclear power plants.

[Guinnessman1974]

Are there any other website links to this case study - has an action group been set up yet?

[Madmills]

The local residents have indeed formed an active action group - i'm hoping that one of them will follow this comment of mine and give you more info, Guinessman.

[Geranium]

Hallo Guinnessman - yes, indeed, we who live close to the site have an action group. We're not anti-nuclear, but we are concerned for the devastation of 500 acres that will happen if EdF is allowed to carry out preparatory work before they've even put in for planning permission for the two reactors. Ancient hedgerows and trees will be destroyed and valleys filled in with spoil.

You can imagine the noise, dust, vibration and disruption to our lives that this will all cause, too - let alone the traffic!

EdF say they're 'listening' - but do they take action? You know the answer.

[Guinnessman1974]

A development needs to be best sited in the right location to minimise the impacts on the environment.

It seems to me that the transport links and rural location are completely inappropriate for this type of expansion.

Let's hope this issue at least goes to a public inquiry.

A recent statement by Natural England on the 'Lydd Airport' case - in Ashford, Kent - where a planned airport expansion has ludicrously (in the RSPB's words) been approved by Shepway councillors - but has gone to public consultation in February 2011:

“We work closely with developers and planning authorities to identify places where new
developments are best accommodated and are most sustainable, while minimising negative
impacts on nature and the environment,” said Natural England Area Manager Rob Cameron.
“We support development that takes the natural environment into consideration and we do all
we can to help ensure that the right sort of development is located in the right places and
delivers sustainable benefits for people and the natural environment together.

"We also have to consider
the likely impacts on wider ecological interests and landscape in the area and the impacts on
local access and recreation. The scientific evidence supports the need for the ‘call in".


Have you also contacted the Woodland Trust and Natural England?

http://naturalengland.etraderstores....Files/awg1.pdf

Planning policy statement 9 (PPS9) states that local authorities should ‘identify any areas of
ancient woodland in their areas that do not have statutory protection’ and normally ‘not grant
planning permission for any development which would result in its loss or deterioration’.
This note provides some background material that may be helpful in implementing this
guidance.
A starting point for identifying ancient woods is the ancient woodland inventory. Ancient
woodland inventories are lists, by county, of sites greater than 2 ha that are thought to have
been continuously wooded since 1600 AD. They include both ancient semi-natural stands
and plantations on ancient woodland sites.


What worries me is that woodlands do not have sufficient legal protection. Also, are there any special conservation areas in the area?

All the best,

Steve

[Geranium]

Hi Steve - thanks for the link. Unfortunately, I can't see it being of use in this situation, as EdF have already had to consult and involve Natural England from day 1 of the whole affair. N.E are not impressed with the plans! I will check up and see if the Woodland Trust have also been consulted - it isn't easy wading through pages and pages of documentation, though - equating to 15 volumes for the application.

We here get very worked up about the flora and fauna which will be displaced or ruined. The badgers on the site have already been moved -their setts have been blocked up and new artificial ones comstructed, as you'll see in the Youtube video. There are so many different birds on the site - e.g. larks, buzzards and water birds - there's an SSSI just along the coast and there's concern that if/when Oldbury Power Station gets the go-ahead these birds will have nowhere in the estuary to go. It's not far from Hinkley.

EdF seem to have spread the word that the 500 acres are 'derelict'. Well - we know better! We've been trying to get as much publicity as we can, as if EdF get Pp, and strip the site, it can never be restored. To say that this is premature is not over stating the case - the permission from the IPC for the reactors could be more than a year away, if it's granted.

If you come up with any other thoughts, they'll be gratefully received.