A youth council has been set up to give students a say on the Sizewell C nuclear power station project.

The council, formed of 15 students from Alde Valley Academy in Leiston, will represent the youth voice.

The students, from Years 7 to 11, will have regular access to the leadership of Sizewell C, including joint managing director Julia Pyke, to discuss local needs and aspirations.

The initiative aims to provide the project with valuable insight into the needs of young people in the area.

This month, the council met with Ms Pyke, site delivery director Damian Leydon, and environmental lead Dr Steve Mannings to discuss the project's progress, plans, and environmental goals.

The council is formed of 15 students from Alde Valley Academy in Leiston The council is formed of 15 students from Alde Valley Academy in Leiston (Image: Sizewell C/Andrew Henry)

Ms Pyke said: “Consultation for big infrastructure projects can sometimes be skewed towards older people.

"We’re really keen to keep talking to young people as we develop Sizewell C.

"By the time we’ve built this project, these students will be in their twenties – and this will hopefully be the town they live in.

"It’s important for us to know what they think now, because we have to build a project that works for them in the future.”

After the discussion, the students toured Wild Aldhurst - Sizewell C’s first nature reserve.

A youth council has been set up to give students a say on the Sizewell C nuclear power project A youth council has been set up to give students a say on the Sizewell C nuclear power project (Image: Sizewell C/Andrew Henry)

Dan Mayhew, director of community and partnerships at Kingfisher Schools Trust, said: “Young people in the area are very aware of the Sizewell C project and are keen to know what is going on.

"The collaboration between the school council and the Sizewell C senior team gives the young people a unique opportunity to have their views heard and have an input into the project."