Exhibition inspired by concerns over Sizewell C

An art exhibition inspired by campaigners' concerns over a new nuclear power plant is being showcased as a "call to action".

The exhibition held at the Lookout in Aldeburgh will have the work of artists, photographers and sculptors on display.

The nuclear power plant is due to be built in Sizewell, Suffolk.

Alison Downes said: "This exhibition is a call to action... and warns what we could lose."

The exhibition has been organised by the Stop Sizewell C campaign group and will be held from Monday 13 November to Sunday 19 November.

Artists taking part hope to draw attention to the environment around the proposed site and how it could be changed by the power plant.

Certain pieces on display include photography looking back at what the area looked like previously to now, ancient oak trees which have been felled on the site, and a short film which will be screened on the last day of the exhibition.

Alison Downes, from Stop Sizewell C, said: "This exhibition is a call to action that celebrates what we have and warns what we could lose.

"Suffolk's creative talent is as rich as its environment and we are heartened by how everyone has come together to oppose a project that would change our landscape and way of life forever."

French energy company EDF plans to build a two-reactor nuclear power station which could generate 3.2 gigawatts of energy, which could power around six million homes.

The reactor would be built in Sizewell, south of RSPB Minsmere on the Suffolk coast between Aldeburgh and Southwold, next to Sizewell B and Sizewell A which has now been decommissioned.

It was given the green-light in July 2022 by the government and is expected to take nine years to build at an estimated cost of £20bn.

A spokesperson for Sizewell C said the project would not be built "at the expense of nature."

They said: "Wildlife has thrived for decades around [the] existing Sizewell B station and before that at Sizewell A, so we have a great track record, and we'll continue to protect this precious area of the Suffolk coastline.

"The many measures we're taking to protect and enhance the local environment will ultimately lead to an overall 19% increase in biodiversity. This includes establishing Wild Aldhurst, a 67-hectare nature reserve, which is already providing new habitat for much wildlife, as well as rare and endangered species like marsh harriers."

They said they were in the process of setting up an environmental charity to help fund projects that would enhance the landscape and increase biodiversity during construction and operation of the power station.

A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: "Sizewell C is a significant part of the revival of nuclear energy in this country - providing clean, home-grown power to millions of homes, thousands of jobs and ending reliance on foreign electricity to bolster our energy security.

"We are listening to and working with local communities and councils as we develop the project and other proposed electricity generation projects in the East of England."

Follow East of England news on Facebook, external, Instagram, external and X, external. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk , externalor WhatsApp 0800 169 1830