'It's cruel': Ten-year-old writes to EDF asking them to not take family farm land in Gloucestershire

Lily Hewlett, 10, from Westbury-on-Severn
Lily Hewlett, 10, told the company her family needed the land to feed their cattle Credit: Kim Horton

A ten-year-old girl has written to EDF asking them not to take part of her family's farmland in Gloucestershire.

The Hewlett family has been farming in the area for a hundred years but learned in October they may be forced to sell 340 acres to EDF.

The energy company has plans to flood the land in Westbury-on-Severn to create a salt marsh.

The creation of the salt marsh is part of plans to compensate for the environmental impact of the new Hinkley Point C nuclear power station in Somerset.

Lily asked her parents if she could write the letter to EDF

The letter from Lily reads: "Dear EDF. I do not think you can take over people's land and our land. We need that land to have our cows and it is our property not yours.

"We have 340 acres of our land you are planning to take over. Our cows are important to us.

"We have to look after them. We need space for all of them and you are taking their grazing space.

"We don't want them all inside. You won't just be taking over our land but you will be hurting nature and you can not just use others people's land for the mistakes that you have done.

"You need to stop it. It's cruel and just because you have a lot of money does not mean you can do what you like.

"I think you should stop because it is mean and it is our land not yours."

The family have farmed the land for a hundred years Credit: Kim Horton

Lily's mother, Maddy Sharp, said "We found out they were planning on doing this in October through the parish council.

"EDF did not know initially the land belonged to us and they were putting up signs trying to find out who owned the fields."

She added: "I know they will look to compulsory purchase the land if they want to. They are going ahead with this because it’s seen to be for the good of the country and the government have invested billions in it

"I promised my 10 year old daughter that I would get her letter to EDF energy out there in the public eye and make it worth something to save our farm."

EDF says Hinley Point C will provide power for six million homes once completed Credit: PA

At this stage of the talks between EDF and the family, there are no compulsory purchase orders in place. The company says they are looking to work with the family before such action could or may be taken.

Andrew Cockcroft, Head of Stakeholder Relations, Hinkley Point C said: “Hinkley Point C is one of Britain’s biggest acts in the fight against climate change and the first power station in the Severn with fish protection built into its design.

"Nevertheless, Hinkley Point C is obliged to find ways to mitigate for the very small remaining impact it has on local fish populations and is looking at different ways that might be achieved.

"It is our intention to find solutions that are acceptable for communities as well as the environment. Listening to local views is a vital part of consultations that will happen when proposals are put forward."

In September, EDF scrapped plans to create the salt marsh Pawlett Hams on the banks of the River Parrett, and said it was looking into different locations.