Proposals for Habitat Creation at Aldhurst Farm, Leiston

Community Consultation - Have Your Say
November 2014
Proposals for Habitat Creation
at Aldhurst Farm, Leiston
EDF Energy is proposing to convert
67 hectares of arable farmland into
wildlife habitat.
soil, which would include peat, would be spread across the
surrounding fields to reduce the fertility of the soils and
create conditions suitable for the establishment of acidic
grassland and heathland.
The site extends from Abbey Road in Leiston to Lover’s
The wetland and drier habitats would benefit a variety of
wildlife including water voles, otters, eels, amphibians,
reptiles and birds, as well as rare plants.
Lane, on the edge of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and Sizewell Marshes
Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Low-lying land in the valley would be lowered to create
the conditions needed for wetland habitat. The excavated
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The proposals have been developed in consultation with
Suffolk Coastal District Council, Suffolk County Council,
the Environment Agency, Natural England, Suffolk Wildlife
Trust and the RSPB.
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Proposed wetland and wider heathland habitat
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ABB
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Before EDF Energy submits a planning application to
Suffolk Coastal District Council, we would welcome the
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views of local people on the proposals. Suffolk Coastal
District Council will consult the local community after
they have received the planning application.
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We welcome your views
LOVERS LANE
EDF Energy does not have a statutory responsibility to
undertake public consultation on the proposals. However,
we regard pre-application engagement with the local
community as good practice. From 17 – 28 November the
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Sizewell Information Office will be open
on weekdays to
receive your questions and feedback.
If you would prefer to write, email or call us, please
find our contact details overleaf.
The deadline to submit your comments to EDF Energy
is 28 November 2014.
Site location
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sizewell@edfconsultation.info
sizewell.edfenergyconsultation.info
Freephone* 0800 197 6102
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Reed Bunting
What is a wetland habitat?
Wetlands are low-land areas of marsh, fen or peatland, that are saturated with water.
Wetlands are an important natural resource that form part of a healthy and functional
landscape, and support a variety of wildlife including specialised plants, invertebrates,
voles, otters, fish, amphibians, reptiles and birds.
Why is this wildlife habitat being proposed?
We are proposing to create the wildlife
habitat to help compensate for potential
land-take from Sizewell Marshes SSSI should
the proposed Sizewell C nuclear power
station be given consent and built.
associated invertebrate and rare vascular
plant assemblages.
The Stage 1 public consultation on initial
proposals and options for Sizewell C ended
in February 2013 and a further stage of
consultation is intended to take place
in 2015.
The creation of this new wetland habitat,
together with wider heathland habitat, is
being progressed separately and in advance
of Sizewell C in order to create the new
habitat prior to any potential land-take from
the SSSI. The habitat would be created even
if our proposed development of Sizewell C
does not proceed.
The designated features that would need
to be compensated for include reedbed
and lowland ditch habitat, and their
Once the new habitat has been established,
EDF Energy intends to open up certain areas
of the site for quiet public recreation.
Adder
Wetland Habitat
When would the wildlife habitat
be created?
Subject to planning permission, we are proposing to create the new
wetland habitat in 2015. The heathland will be created progressively
over a number of years.
The works would be undertaken during daytime hours on Monday to
Saturday, and managed in accordance with a construction management
strategy to be agreed with the local authority.
Get in Touch
sizewell@edfconsultation.info
@edfesizewellc
sizewell.edfenergyconsultation.info
Freephone* 0800 197 6102
Response Form
48-50 High Street, Leiston, IP16 4EW
Comments/Questions
If you have any comments or questions about Aldhurst Farm,
Leiston, or to ensure all your details are on our database,
please either cut out and fill in this form or write us a letter
and post to FREEPOST SZC CONSULTATION.
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