EDF Energy has announced a delay in its consultation process for the creation of a saltmarsh to mitigate the environmental impacts of Hinkley Point C’s cooling water system. This decision follows strong feedback from local residents in the four proposed locations along the Severn Estuary.
The cooling water system at the nuclear power plant has been a point of contention, with environmentalists and regulatory agencies highlighting its potential impact on marine life.
The Environment Agency estimates that 44 tonnes of fish may be affected annually—a figure EDF emphasises is significantly less than the monthly catch of a small fishing vessel. Yet, the company is keenly aware that numbers alone cannot capture the community’s concerns.
Power company EDF had wanted to turn a huge swathe of farmland by the village into a salt marsh to make up for fish killed at Hinkley Point C. But councillors had called for EDF to drop the plan and instead invest in biodiversity in ways the area wants and needs.
(Image: Daniel Dayment / SWNS)
EDF has said previously that the salt marshes provide breeding grounds for fish, as well as food and shelter for other animals, and said the salt marsh could help prevent flooding. A public consultation will be held on any plans before they go ahead. EDF bosses met concerned locals in a public meeting in Kingston Seymour in October.
A salt marsh was first proposed at Pawlett Hams near Bridgwater but, after major local opposition, the plan was dropped and EDF began looking at locations further from the power station to locate salt marshes. Arlingham and — across the river — Rodley in Gloucestershire and Littleton-upon-Severn in South Gloucestershire were all proposed as locations.
“We are listening to the feedback from local communities and understand the strength of feeling,” said Andrew Cockcroft, head of stakeholder relations at EDF Energy. The sentiment reflects the company’s broader strategy of seeking community support for national infrastructure projects.
“Community support is essential,” Mr Cockcroft added, stressing that EDF’s preferred approach is to find voluntary solutions that balance environmental obligations with the interests of residents.
The proposed saltmarshes, potential sites for which include Kingston Seymour, Arlingham, Littleton, and Rodley, aim to offset the ecological impact of the cooling system. However, the announcement of these locations has stirred concerns among residents about potential disruptions to local landscapes and ecosystems.
Acknowledging these concerns, EDF has stated it is open to exploring alternative measures to meet its mitigation obligations.
The area near the River Severn where EDF plan to create a saltmarsh habitat
(Image: Daniel Dayment / SWNS)
“We believe in finding measures that work for both the community and the environment,” Mr Cockcroft said. This includes a commitment to investigating emerging technologies that could reduce harm to fish without endangering divers’ lives—a key operational challenge for the project.
To ensure all possibilities are considered, EDF has decided to delay the formal consultation process, initially scheduled for early 2024, until later in 2025. “This delay demonstrates our commitment to making sure all options are fully explored,” Mr Cockcroft added.
Hinkley Point C, one of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects, is integral to the country’s energy strategy. Yet, it also highlights the delicate balance between meeting national needs and addressing local concerns.
As discussions continue, the company say they remain focused on solutions that protect both the environment and its relationship with local residents. “We want measures that work for everyone,” Mr Cockcroft concluded, reiterating EDF’s commitment to a collaborative approach.
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