The Sizewell C project had a big year in 2023. After 12 months of preparatory work, from site clearance to surveys and archaeological work, the team is now looking forward to the first stage of formal construction work in 2024.
The Secretary of State granted Sizewell C permission to build the power station – what’s known as a Development Consent Order (DCO) – back in 2022. However, for construction activities to formally ‘commence’ under that DCO, many obligations needed to be satisfied first.
Those obligations, set out in a Deed of Obligation document signed with East Suffolk Council and Suffolk County Council, included everything from key road surveys to the establishment of Governance Groups to provide continuing oversight of the project.
Now, after such a successful year, the team aim to be in a position to commence construction activity under the DCO as soon as possible in the New Year.
What will this mean for the project and for local communities next year? Here are three key things to know:
1. New Sizewell C Forums to launch
Launching in early 2024, new Sizewell C Forums will be another way for local people to have their say and discuss key issues with the team once the construction phase starts. There’ll be four main forums, covering all the main project-related topics relevant to the community.
Parish and town councils will represent the community at the forums, and local people can attend the meetings as observers. The forums are chaired independently, and there’ll be more info about the upcoming meetings on the Sizewell website soon.
Chair of the Community Forum: Christine Abraham
Christine is the former CEO of Community Action Suffolk and has a lifetime commitment to volunteering and voluntary sector support.
“Communities have been at the forefront throughout my working and personal life, and I am pleased to take up the role of chair for the SZC Community Forum,” she said. “As the chair, I look forward to ensuring good engagement with local communities on the project development, as well as providing a platform to have constructive discussions about the challenges and opportunities for local people.”
Chair of the Transport Forums: Brian Stewart OBE
Currently chair of trustees for Papworth Trust and the Anglian Great Ouse Regional Flood and Coastal Committee, Brian said: “Having previously chaired the Sizewell C Community Forum before the planning application was submitted, I know the importance of local communities having their say and EDF Energy being held to account.
“This time I will be chairing the two new Transport Forums and the Main Site Forum, and I look forward to our discussions in those groups. My background in local government and planning, as well as chairing various bodies, should continue to serve me well.”
2. Sizewell C Community Fund becomes live
The Sizewell C Community Fund will become active in 2024 too: a special fund of up to £23m for community projects, spread across the construction period with £2m being made available next year.
The fund – administered by Suffolk Community Foundation, Suffolk local authorities, community representatives, and Sizewell C – could be transformational for communities across the region.
Part of a £250m Sizewell package for the area, which includes funding for the local environment and employment and skills, its purpose is to ensure that local villages and groups can access funds that will enhance the environmental, social and economic wellbeing of East Suffolk, and limit the impacts of construction.
3. Key works to expect early in 2024
“We’ve made fantastic progress on the site this year, and we’re excited about building on that momentum in 2024,” said Damien Leydon, Sizewell C site delivery director, who has previously worked as construction director of the Athletes’ Village for the London 2012 Olympics.
“As we move on to the next phase of the project, we’ll be continuing ecological and archaeological works on the main site and across the associated development sites, as well as conducting ground trials for civil engineering works and commencing drainage and earthworks.
“We’re also building roads onsite to provide direct access for construction vehicles, putting up perimeter fencing so that we have safe and secure site boundaries, and we’ll start construction and fit-out of our welfare units and site offices so that we’ve got the right facilities for our team.”
You can keep up to date on when and where Sizewell C works are taking place, as well as the progress of current works, on the Works Tracker at szcworkstracker.co.uk
From early January, you can also get email notifications in advance of wide load movements associated with the project by emailing info@sizewellc.com to register.
This article is part of the EADT's Clean & Green campaign, which aims to promote our region as the biggest in the UK and Europe for all forms of renewable energy.
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