Together Against Sizewell C vows to continue fight after legal challenge rejected by Supreme Court – as the nuclear plant welcomes the news

Campaigners protesting against the £20 billion Sizewell C plant are determined to continue their fight after a legal challenge was rejected by the Supreme Court.

The court yesterday refused an appeal by Together Against Sizewell C (TASC) after it called for a judicial review of the plant, near Leiston.

TASC first challenged the Government’s decision to give planning permission to the station in July 2022 after it was given the go-ahead by then-business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng.

Among its claims were that the Secretary of State was wrong to grant a Development Consent Order (DCO) without first assessing the environmental impact of proposals for Sizewell C’s water supply.

In its ruling, three Supreme Court judges said the group’s latest claims did not raise an arguable point of law.

Julia Pyke, the managing director of Sizewell C, welcomed the news and said the team were glad the challenge was rejected by the court.

However, Pete Wilkinson, from TASC, said the group would seek new avenues to challenge the plant.

Mr Wilkinson described yesterday’s ruling as a ‘bit of a blow’ but said the site still needed other permits and licences.

He said it was a challenge opposing Sizewell C through the courts and the Government seemed to have decided the plant will go through regardless.

“Local opposition to the plant appears to be growing as people in the area realise the imposition it will cause,” he said.

“There are about 36 site conditions that cover the site that we’ll be able to monitor, there are no details on water supply and a many-billion pound hole in finances as well as further licences to be awarded.

“There are things that lend themselves to a possible challenge to give the public a chance to review.”

This followed TASC’s case being refused by the High Court last year – the decision to approve plant was also upheld by the Court of Appeal in December.

During the High Court case, the body argued against the impacts of water supply of up to two million litres per day, which it said were never assessed and that there was no way of knowing if the environmental benefits of the plant would outweigh the costs.

In addition, no opening date for the plant could be guaranteed, campaigners said.

Ms Pyke said the team knew the majority of East Suffolk residents supported the project and looked forward to the jobs and development opportunities it would bring.

She added: “We will continue to listen closely to local communities and we are as determined as ever to ensure that Sizewell C delivers for them.”