The Environment Agency has opened two public consultations, inviting local communities to provide feedback on the construction permits for the Sizewell C nuclear power station in East Suffolk. These consultations will run from 9 July to 6 August 2024.

Residents of Leiston and surrounding areas are encouraged to participate and share their views on the two environmental permits applied for by Sizewell C Limited:

Construction Water Discharge Activity Permit 

 

This permit would allow the company to remove water from its construction site through nine discharge points, directing groundwater and rainfall to Sizewell Foreshore, the North Sea, Leiston Beck and surrounding tributaries.

Combustion Activity Permit

 

This permit would enable the operation of diesel generators at the construction site, providing necessary electricity for tools and equipment. Both static and mobile generators will be used, with mobile units being relocated as needed within the site.

The Environment Agency’s website hosts the applications and allows the public to submit their comments. After the consultation period ends, the agency will review all feedback before making a decision on whether to grant the permits.

These consultations focus solely on the construction activities at the Sizewell C site and do not address broader issues such as the need for nuclear power, UK energy policy, or the safety and security of the design.

The Environment Agency plays a crucial role in regulating environmental protection at nuclear sites, ensuring the safety of both people and the environment.

 

Why Sizewell C Permits Matter for UK Construction Delivery

 

While the Sizewell C consultations are narrow in scope, focusing only on construction-phase environmental permits, they highlight a wider reality facing major UK infrastructure projects. Large-scale developments increasingly hinge on early regulatory alignment, particularly around water management, temporary power generation and environmental controls during enabling and construction works.

For contractors and specialist subcontractors, these permits directly influence site logistics, programme sequencing and compliance costs. Temporary discharge arrangements, generator use and environmental monitoring all carry implications for construction methodology, plant selection and site management strategies. On complex infrastructure schemes such as Sizewell C, early clarity on permitting reduces delivery risk and helps stabilise programme certainty.

More broadly, the consultations illustrate how infrastructure delivery in the UK is becoming increasingly front-loaded with environmental scrutiny. While this does not determine national energy policy or project viability, it does shape how construction is executed on the ground. As the UK seeks to accelerate delivery of major infrastructure while maintaining environmental safeguards, the efficiency and clarity of regulatory processes at this stage will remain a critical factor in whether projects progress smoothly from planning into construction.

For more information and to participate in the consultations, visit the Environment Agency’s consultation website - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/public-invited-to-comment-on-sizewell-c-construction-permits

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Expert Verification & Authorship: Mihai Chelmus Founder, London Construction Magazine | Construction Testing & Investigation Specialist