Campaigners lose legal battle to block plans for new Sizewell C nuclear plant

An image of what the new Sizewell C nuclear power station would look like. Credit: EDF Energy
Campaigners argued against the planned Sizewell C project Credit: EDF Energy

Campaigners have lost a High Court battle to block plans to build the multi-billion pound Sizewell C nuclear power plant.

The protest group Together Against Sizewell C launched a legal bid to challenge development consent, which was granted by former business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng in July 2022.

Lawyers for the group argued that the government failed to assess the possible environmental impact of building the plant.

They also said the government failed to consider alternative solutions to meeting its energy and climate change objectives.

The government, which is investing £700m in the project, argued it made legitimate planning judgements.

Sizewell B is the only nuclear power plant to have come online in Britain in over three decades Credit: Chris Radburn/PA

In his ruling on Thursday, Mr Justice Holgate dismissed the challenge, saying that several parts were "totally without merit".

He added: "The claimant's argument depends upon an illegitimate attempt to rewrite the government's policy aims by pretending that the central policy objective is at a higher level of abstraction, namely to produce clean energy, without any regard to diversity of energy sources and security of supply."

A spokesperson for EDF Energy, which is behind the Sizewell C project, said: "We are pleased with this judgement, which firmly dismisses the challenge and underlines the confidence the people of East Suffolk can take in our plans for Sizewell C."

Ministers have championed the project, saying it will boost jobs in the area and supply power to millions of homes.

Following the unsuccessful challenge, Together Against Sizewell C was ordered to pay £10,000 towards the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero's costs.

The group said it was seeking advice about an appeal, and added: "Naturally, Together Against Sizewell C is disappointed, but this verdict does not signal the end of our efforts.

"Together with our lawyers we are examining all possible options open to us and can promise our supporters that in one form or another, this campaign will continue."