STOP EDF'S SALT MARSHES IN THE SEVERN VALE
EDF'S proposal
EDF wish to remove the current requirement to install an Acoustic Fish Deterrent (AFD) at their Hinkley Point C site and in mitigation they wish to create 340 hectares of salt marsh which, they say, will mitigate for the loss of fish caused as a result of not installing the AFD.
In the original design for Hinkley Point C an Acoustic Fish Deterrent (AFD) was to be installed to minimise the impact on fish. They submitted a Development Consent Order in 2019 to remove the requirement for the AFD which was ultimately rejected by the Planning Inspectorate and Secretary of State in 2021.
Despite this EDF is continuing with its quest to pursue alternative mitigations to the AFD, one of which is the highly contentious proposal to create 340 hectares of salt marsh. It proposes four potential sites along the Severn Estuary including land at Littleton-upon-Littleton-upon-Severn is a small village on the Severn Estuary with approximately 65 houses, some of which will be within the proposed area of the salt marsh. The land is primarily agricultural and used for cattle and sheep grazing, including cattle for milk production. The creation of a salt marsh in this area will destroy successful farming businesses and would be devastating for the local community.
It will also be devastating for the local environment and the habitat within it. This area of the Severn Estuary has a wide and diverse habitat. Part of it is in an SSSI, a Ramsar site, an SAC and SPA. (Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas). If this goes ahead habitats will be destroyed, and these habitats, many of which are specific to the Estuary will need to have secondary mitigation. There will be destruction of trees and hedgerows which, as well as providing for the natural habitat also provide natural windbreaks for the village. The Severn Way and Jubilee Way footpaths also criss cross the area and some of these will not be able to be diverted and will be lost.
The site lies within Flood Zone 3, with a high risk of flooding not only from the river, but also from surface water running off the hills. There are numerous rhines and ditches throughout the area all of which are linked throughout the wide area. Changing the water course will have a significant impact much larger than the cost of creation of the saltmarsh which could run into the 10s of millions of pounds, and could potentially be more than £100M, which is disproportionate to any benefit and will ultimately need to be paid for by the public
There are already other proposed mitigations in place which are non controversial and cost effective, including the creation of kelp forests, oyster beds, seagrass and additional weirs.
It is not clear why EDF are continuing with this highly contentious and costly proposal when there are other far more cost effective mitigations, such as Hatcheries which could be installed.
The way in which EDF have conducted themselves so far, with little notice, formal legal letters demanding access to land and no concern as to the loss of livelihood and potentially homes is extremely distressing and we don't want this mad proposal taken any further.
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