EDF Energy has today signalled the start of its formal public consultation in November for a new proposed nuclear power station at Sizewell in Suffolk, just as the examination of its application for Hinkley Point C in Somerset concludes.

Following initial meetings, EDF Energy is today sending a draft Statement of Community Consultation (SoCC) to Suffolk local authorities to invite feedback on the proposed consultation programme for the Sizewell C project.

The formal consultation on initial proposals and options is planned to start by the end of November this year. Consulting on a draft SoCC is a requirement of the Planning Act 2008 and marks the first formal stage in the consultation process. EDF Energy will consider the Councils' comments before publishing a final SoCC with details of the consultation programme.

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Meanwhile, tomorrow (22 September) marks the end of the Planning Inspectorate's six-month, evidence-based examination of EDF Energy's application to build and operate a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point C in Somerset. The Planning Inspectorate now has up to three months to make a recommendation to the Secretary of State.

During the examination for Hinkley Point C, EDF Energy submitted more than 50 documents and supporting appendices in response to written representations, provided approximately 300 detailed responses to technical questions, and attended eight issue-specific hearings and five open floor hearings. Many other parties contributed fully to the process.

Richard Mayson, Director of Planning and External Affairs for EDF Energy Nuclear New Build, said: "We are very pleased to signal the start of our formal consultation for Sizewell C. It demonstrates our clear intent to progress our role at the forefront of the UK's nuclear renaissance.

"At the same time, we're delighted to mark the end of the examination of our Hinkley Point C proposals. During this period a landmark agreement was reached with the local authorities to mitigate the impact of the development and support services such as education, training, transport and housing.

"As well as helping to supply new low carbon electricity for ten million homes, both these projects offer massive employment and economic opportunities for local residents and firms. We now look forward to the planning decision for Hinkley Point C and to working with the communities in Suffolk to develop our proposals at Sizewell including mitigating identified impacts."

(CD)