Pakenham Parish Council : Notes on Meeting 20th April 2021

Notes on Meeting between Pakenham PC and Sizewell C

Notes on meeting. Tuesday 20th April 2021 to discuss possible conversion of land in Pakenham to Fen Land as part of compensation for Habitat Loss with the Construction of Sizewell C

Alan Lewis, Technical lead for Ecology SCZ, outlined the proposals and confirmed that the planning application for Sizewell C will be made to the Planning Inspectorate . Suffolk County Council will be a Statutory Consultee.

Work will commence with Pakenham Fen at the same time as the start of work on the Power Station, this will probably be the middle to the end of next year. The examination process for Sizewell C is due to conclude on the 14th October and this will be followed by a period of 3 months to draft a report, followed by a further 3 months for the Government to decide. A Development Consent Order will then be granted, if the new Power Station is approved.

The draft programme will assume a construction period of 10 years to form the Fen Land, at the end of which the progress will be considered and a management plan for the next 70 years prepared.

The representatives of Sizewell C were unable to answer questions about land ownership and how the new Fen Land will be vested until the Land deals with existing owners has been concluded.

Duct boarding and signage will be provided to existing footpaths over the Fen Area.

It was stressed that Natural England have been consulted on the Pakenham Site.

The representatives of Sizewell C stated there will no significant adverse affect on the stream or Water Mill and that that there should be no adverse impact on neighbouring houses or ground water beyond the site.

A Fen Meadow plan will be produced by Sizewell C Mid Summer to early Autumn which will be placed on their Website. This will include a plan and written document upon which there will be an opportunity to comment.
Sizewell C agreed to attend a meeting after the plan is published with Pakenham Parish to discuss the proposals.
Sizewell C also agreed to attend a meeting with representatives of the Water Mill.