THE LEGALITY OF FELLING CORONATION WOOD AT LEAST TWO YEARS BEFORE SIZEWELL C APPLICATION IS APPROVED OR REFUSED QUESTIONED

Together Against Sizewell C (TASC) members today called on EdF to ensure that its workforce engaged in the premature felling of Coronation Wood are in possession of the relevant paperwork authorising their actions.

Many members of the public contacted TASC when felling began, to suggest that EdF needed a licence from Natural England authorising activities which would disturb or endanger native British bats which are believed to roost in the wood and use the surrounding area for foraging. Investigations seemed to suggest that Natural England had not issued such a licence which, if true, could render the felling operations illegal as well as premature and immoral.

Natural England have been contacted and they advised that if a wildlife crime has been suspected the police should be contacted to advise the felling should be stopped until it was clear that proper processes had been followed. A police liaison officer from Halesworth attended the site but it appears felling is still continuing but TASC remain unaware if the appropriate paperwork exists.

Pete Wilkinson, TASC Chairman, said today, ‘Many residents in and around the Sizewell area and beyond know and love Coronation Wood, a feature of the area for 100 years. It is criminal to have the trees felled causing so much loss of flora and fauna when we are supposed to be protecting our wildlife and ‘building back better’.  The loss of the Wood may yet be an unnecessary legacy of EdF’s wilful arrogance and haste to stamp its mark on the Suffolk landscape long before planning permission for Sizewell C is determined and hopefully lost.  EdF plan to use the Coronation Wood site for a car park and buildings which could all be located outside the AONB so such premature vandalism is truly inexcusable and marks EdF as a neighbour most will treat with the contempt they deserve.’

TASC have been alerted to EdF’s practice of filling up potential bat roost sites in Coronation Wood with foam to evict bats from such roosts and are seeking advice to find out whether this vile practice is legal.

TASC will continue to press for EdF’s workforce to comply with the law and if Natural England has not issued a licence, if one is required, for bats to be disturbed or evicted from the Wood, it will call for the prosecution of EdF and the refusal of a licence to be issued.

Joan Girling, who recently lost a year-long judicial review action to have the East Suffolk Council’s permission to chop down the Wood overturned, said today, ‘It’s heart-breaking to see our precious landscape torn up and disrespected in this way.  It has turned people against EdF in their droves.  We will not stop fighting this monstrous plan to wreck East Suffolk, the lives and livelihoods of thousands and our heritage coast.’