East Suffolk Trust (EaST) has been established to deliver and support environmental works that Sizewell C are required to deliver as mitigation for the development for the third nuclear power station.

For many years, Suffolk Wildlife Trust campaigned against Sizewell C because of the impact on protected sites and species in the development area which includes SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) areas and irreplaceable wetland habitats that are critical for regional and national biodiversity. 

Since the approval of the development, and subsequent Government backing, we have refocussed our efforts on engaging with Sizewell C to ensure the best possible results for nature. Wildlife will be impacted; therefore, it is now our role to ensure the impact to wildlife is kept to minimum, and that Sizewell C fulfil the mitigation and compensation they are legally required to deliver.

As mitigation projects begin and funding for associated works become available, we may explore opportunities that align with our goals to protect and restore wildlife.

We continue to be particularly concerned about sensitive populations of adder, natterjack toad, and various bat species whose habitats will be – or may already have been – disrupted or destroyed by Sizewell C development.

Ben McFarland, Director of Wildlife Conservation & Recovery, said: “We continue to work hard to ensure the agreed mitigation and compensation is as effective as possible for local wildlife. The EaST funds are incredibly important to help mitigate what we think is a significant residual impact across the wider landscape.

“What we cannot say for sure is if this fund will be enough to mitigate fully, but what we can say is that it’s vital that local wildlife groups and charities work hard to make sure the projects that result from the funds, are as good as they can be for wildlife.”