Cann defends rights of Suffolk people to have their say on Sizewell C (Ipswich Liberal Democrats)

Ipswich Liberal Democrats <info@ipswichlibdems.org.uk>

Cann defends rights of Suffolk people to have their say on Sizewell C

November 24, 2006 4:44 PM

72% of the British public say no to nuclear power and yes to wind. Greenpeace projects poll result onto Sizewell nuclear plant in Suffolk, UK ©Greenpeace

The Government won't let local people have our say on a new Sizewell

The Government is determined that not only will local people have no say on whether we want new nuclear power plants they will not even allow you to have a say on position of these plants. That will already be determined by the Government. That will mean that any future public inquiry into a Sizewell C for instance will have nothing more than very local environmental considerations to discuss. Cllr. Andrew Cann said "we may as well be consulted on the colour of the building because that is about as much influence as the Government seems determined to let us have. This is fundamentally wrong. People have more say over local road schemes through the public inquiry process than the Govt' will let them have over a nuclear power station. This is Labour changing the rules again to suit themselves.

Cllr. Cann has drawn up a motion (below) for debate at Suffolk County Council which aims to get this policy reversed.

This Council notes:

· Suffolk County Council will be asked for its views on the forthcoming Government Energy White Paper;

· A recent consultation (Policy Framework for New Nuclear Build) proposed moves to (a) create a national 'statement of need' for new nuclear builds (b) create a 'justification' for new nuclear builds and (c) create a 'strategic siting assessment' to set out criteria for deciding potential sites where new nuclear builds would be allowed.

This Council believes:

· That local people have the right to question the need for a new nuclear generation facility in Suffolk;

· That local people have the right to question whether the benefits of any new nuclear power generation facility in Suffolk outweigh the risks;

· That local people should have a say in where any new nuclear power stations are located in Suffolk;

· That the planning process should take account of this and provide adequate opportunity for the opinions of local people to be heard and answered on the above three issues.

This Council will:

· Debate the forthcoming Energy White Paper at Full Council (before the end of the consultation period of the White Paper).

· Send a response objecting if, in the forthcoming Energy White Paper, any changes are proposed to planning regulations which will prevent local people from having their say with regard to the need for, justification for or location of any new nuclear builds in Suffolk.