Plans to turn farmland into salt marsh, to offset fish deaths at Hinkley Point C, are paused amid farmer opposition.
EDF wanted to create salt marshes to compensate for fish dying at Hinkley Point C. The original plan affected four villages in Somerset and Gloucestershire. Farmers worried about losing their land and jobs, saying it could ruin their communities.
EDF now thinks a new technology, from the South West, might help protect fish better. So, EDF paused the salt marsh plan entirely, hoping it will not be needed. Still, they can’t completely rule it out yet.
Claire Stuckey shared news on Facebook, saying, “We beat EDF!” Her family’s land was at risk. She feels this is great for the local area and they now hope to move forward, as starting in September 2024 was hard.
Farmers learned of the flooding on September 9, 2024, when EDF sent them letters. One council member called it a “surprise attack.” This happened at a public meeting in October where EDF met with worried villagers.
EDF needs to offset fish deaths, as the power plant pulls water from the Severn Estuary. It has a fish return system, but they think 44 tonnes of fish will still die yearly, despite the mechanism.
Originally, they planned loud underwater speakers to scare fish away using sound. Divers found speaker installation too risky. Salt marshes became the new solution.
The new technology uses high-frequency sound run from above to scare off fish. EDF calls this their preferred solution. Testing is underway for this new technology, and salt marsh design work is suspended.
EDF canceled agreements allowing land access and stopped planning salt marsh consultations. They hope no salt marsh will be needed. The final decision depends on the new tech working.
Tessa Munt, a local MP, is cautiously optimistic. She called the original plan “completely bonkers” and will watch EDF closely. She said the plan is paused, not canceled, because destroying nature did not seem right.
Stuckey said it is a great relief to everyone; they need the new tech to work. A salt marsh near Bridgwater was first proposed. Strong opposition caused EDF to look elsewhere, and Arlingham, Rodley, and Littleton-upon-Severn were considered.