Hundreds protest at nuclear plans

HUNDREDS of protesters gathered in east Suffolk yesterday to oppose the building of the Sizewell C nuclear power station.

Carrying banners that read "chaos coast coming soon", "EDF-off" and "we don't want to be beside the C", the crowd marched from Leiston to Sizewell beach.

The demonstration took place days after ministers deferred a decision on whether to grant development consent by six weeks. Earlier this week, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy set a new deadline of July 8 as it seeks more information on issues such as water supply.

Negotiations between the

Government and French project developer EDF started last year.

Campaigners say the delay is a recognition of the project's problems including water supply, transport, coastal erosion and biodiversity.

Alison Downes of Stop Sizewell C said: "A decision to go ahead with Sizewell C would be a wrong decision.

"EDF has clearly not taken this community with them, and the Government has totally betrayed the faith of local people in due process by repeated commitments to Sizewell C when it doesn't have planning consent, let alone a final investment decision."

CAPTION: Protesters march against the building of the Sizewell C nuclear power station GREGG BROWN