nuclear-news

Farmers warn over Hinkley Point C’s saltmarsh plan

Burnham & Highbridge Weekly News 12th October, By John Wimperis,

PLANS to turn a huge swathe of land in North Somerset into a marsh to make up for the environmental impact of Hinkley Point C would “destroy” homes and livelihoods, farmers have warned.

Bosses at Somerset’s new nuclear power station are proposing creating new saltmarsh habitats along the Severn to compensate for the number of fish that will die by being sucked into the power station’s cooling systems. But this means communities along the river and estuary face losing hundreds of acres of farmland.

In Kingston Seymour in North Somerset, the plans to turn 1,500 acres of prime agricultural land between Weston-super-Mare and Clevedon into salt marshes have caused outcry. Farmers, who were left in “extreme distress,” after finding out their land was under threat blocked access to wildlife surveys for the plans in protest on Tuesday (October 8).

A public meeting with EDF — the energy company building Hinkley Point C — is set to be held in Kingston Seymour Village Hall on October 14 at 7.45pm.

Farmers across the affected area have urged EDF to drop the plan.

Young farmer Sophie Cole of the farm at Wharf House said: “I am a third-generation young farmer in Kingston Seymour and all my land and property is directly impacted by this proposal.

“No amount of money can compensate me for the loss of my livelihood and exciting plans for the future.”

Peter and Karen Stuckey of Channel View Farm said: “We have a thriving commercial business which provides employment and services to local people. 

“We also have agricultural land and several dwellings which provides much needed local housing. 

“This proposal will destroy our home and livelihood and is causing us a great deal of worry and anxiety.”

They added: “This will destroy everything we have built up over the last 50 years.”

Meanwhile, at Dowlais Farm, Kathrin and David Kirk said: “We have rebuilt Dowlais Farm from near derelict to a great family home (grade II listed) as well as a thriving campsite and two holiday cottages.

“We purchased the farm seven years ago from North Somerset Council and have invested everything we have both financially and physically into this business and built it up from scratch.

“This proposal would destroy our livelihood and our home. It would also destroy wildlife habitats for otters, bats, badgers, foxes, deer as well as birds such as owls, kestrels and buzzards who all nest in the trees on our land.”

Dan Kostyla of Sea Wall Farm, another young farmer, said: “My family have been farming here for generations — I am fourth generation — and have invested heavily in the farm business.  We have a large dairy and beef farm business.

“All of this will be lost from the food chain and our business will be unviable/destroyed.” 

Another young farmer, Dan Kostyla of Sea Wall Farm said: “My family have been farming here for generations — I am fourth generation — and have invested heavily in the farm business.  We have a large dairy and beef farm business.

“All of this will be lost from the food chain and our business will be unviable/destroyed.” 

EDF said it is obligated to make environmental improvements such as salt marshes to compensate for the power station’s impact on fish populations, which the energy company said would be limited………….

A public consultation will be held on any plans before they go ahead……………………………………………………………… https://www.burnhamandhighbridgeweeklynews.co.uk/news/24646958.farmers-warn-hinkley-point-cs-saltmarsh-plan/

October 13, 2024 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | environment, UK