Sizewell C taking the axe to two century-old trees

Two century-old oak trees will be felled to make way for a new road network which will eventually serve a new nuclear power plant in Suffolk.

Managers for Sizewell C will chop down the trees along the B1125 Leiston Road in Middleton so a new junction can be built.

Sizewell C had permission to cut down seven trees, although residents feared as many as ten could be chopped down.

Steve Mannings, Sizewell C's head of ecology, said only the two oak trees nearest the new junction needed to be felled.

"This reflects the approach we have taken in detailed design across the Sizewell C project, which aims to minimise vegetation clearance and felling as far as possible," he said.

Residents had been notified that vegetation on the B1125 could be cleared in October after consultation with Suffolk County Council.

Earlier this month Mandy Beaumont, 63, said it would be "devastating" were the trees to be felled.

Meanwhile, 70-year-old Steve Thorpe said: "Oak trees have an ecological significance, and it would be a great loss to lose these particular trees when it is not necessary."

Sizewell C says between 50,000 and 100,000 trees and shrubs, plus hedgerows, will be planted by the time the power plant is complete.

Six nature reserves will be created, it says.

Mr Mannings said: "The Sizewell link road is a key part of our transport strategy, whose aim is to reduce construction traffic on local roads, and the tree felling is needed to construct the junction and meet safety standards."

He said that 50% of Sizewell C's total habitat impact during construction had already been compensated for, and said three nature reserves had already been created in the Sizewell area.

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