Sizewell C nuclear plant project upheld by Court of Appeal

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

Government approval of the planned Sizewell C nuclear plant was lawful, the Court of Appeal has ruled.

The court dismissed a legal challenge over the environmental impact of the project, made by campaign group Together Against Sizewell C (TASC).

It had argued that the government failed to consider the need for a water supply when approving the plant in Suffolk.

Sizewell C welcomed the legal decision on the £20bn nuclear power plant.

TASC, jointly with Suffolk Coastal Friends of the Earth and Stop Sizewell C, said in response: "We are dismayed by this decision and struggle to understand how the potable water supply that £30bn and Sizewell C is totally reliant on for its 60 years of operation can be considered lawfully, or indeed rationally, as a separate project."

It added: "Our fight for the soul of Suffolk will continue and we are in discussions with our legal team to consider our plans moving forward."

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

The protest group mounted a Court of Appeal fight after losing its High Court legal challenge in June.

TASC objected to a decision made in 2022 by then Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng to give the development the green light.

In a statement, Sizewell C said: "After two previous High Court dismissals on this issue, we welcome today's judgement."

It added: "Following excellent progress of pre-commencement work this year, we're now looking forward to beginning the construction phase in 2024."

Sizewell C said previously it would use energy created at neighbouring nuclear power station Sizewell B to run a desalination plant while construction took place.

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

In its statement on Wednesday, Sizewell C said it was to start formal negotiations with Essex & Suffolk Water to help fund the construction of a new water main for the region.

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.