Sizewell C nuclear plant project disputed at Court of Appeal

The planned nuclear Sizewell C nuclear plant is expected to cost about £20bn

A group campaigning against the construction of a £20bn nuclear power station in Suffolk has started to have its case heard in the Court of Appeal.

Together Against Sizewell C (TASC) has argued the government failed to assess the environmental impact of the project when granting planning permission.

The two-day hearing will focus on how a permanent water supply to the site will be provided.

In June, a High Court judge said the planning permission was lawful.

But Together Against Sizewell C successfully won the right to appeal that decision in September, triggering the latest hearing at the Court of Appeal in London.

Lady Justice Andrews and Lord Justice Lewis are presiding over the case, but a result is not expected for some time.

Barrister David Wolfe KC, leading Together Against Sizewell C's legal team, told the judges the central issue related to whether a "development consent order" was lawful "without any assessment" of the environmental impacts of an "essential" fresh water supply.

A Together Against Sizewell C spokesman said in a statement outside court: "It is clear the business secretary needed to guarantee how a permanent water supply of two million litres per day for Sizewell C would be obtained, before giving consent.

"However, the environmental impact of such a plant was not included in the planning application for the nuclear power plant, and therefore was neither assessed nor taken into account."

The site for Sizewell C is near existing nuclear buildings on the Suffolk coast

On Monday, Sizewell C said it would use energy created at neighbouring nuclear power station Sizewell B to run a desalination plant while construction takes place.

However, a permanent water supply has not been arranged yet.

French energy firm EDF, due to develop the project with the government, has said Sizewell C was expected to generate low-carbon electricity to supply six million homes.

A Sizewell C spokesperson said "The High Court has already dismissed two previous attempts by TASC to apply for Judicial Review on this issue.

"Sizewell C has a clear water supply strategy which will help to increase water availability in the region in the long term.

"The project will help to pay for a mains pipeline that will bring the necessary water for the wider area, as well as supply Sizewell C."