A commitment to the environment

Maximising the positive impact on local habitats and wildlife is a key consideration for Hinkley Point C...

Helping habitats thrive

Environmental consulting company WSP works alongside EDF’s Environment and Sustainability team to help protect, enhance and manage the habitats around the site. Their main areas of focus are:

Ecology management: Ensuring compliance and risk management in the construction site, considering factors such as nesting birds, injured wildlife and bat monitoring on Green Lane.

Off-site bird surveys: Conducting surveys on the River Parrett and Bridgwater Bay. This includes counting and monitoring thousands of waders, ducks and geese through the autumn and winter.

Biodiversity monitoring: Regularly surveying species such as bats, reptiles, newts, nesting birds and otters to ensure mitigation is effective.

Spotlight on…

The Southern Landscape Area

WHAT?
This area, south of the construction site, spans around 16 hectares and was previously used for soil storage. It now boasts grasslands, ponds, hedgerows, scrub and woodland. The area is monitored annually, and the diversity of species recorded proves its success.

WHEN?
In 2019, the boundary of Hinkley Point C was adjusted, placing this area outside of the boundary, allowing for the enhancement ahead of commissioning of the power station. Ongoing habitat management helps to confirm if adjustments are required to maximise value to wildlife.

WHY?
To create a biodiversity-rich area. It’s resulted in many wildlife successes, including an abundance of flowers and invertebrates, grass snakes colonising, and yellowhammer birds spreading within the area. There’s also been sightings of locally-rare butterflies and moths.

The Southern Landscape Area is one of the highlights of the project for ecology, and this is just an early sample of the further restoration to come. The new grasslands add tremendous value to the wildlife and local community.

ROB WERRAN, SENIOR ECOLOGY CONSULTANT

Partnering up for the environment
Hinkley Point C has joined forces with Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival for an innovative collaboration.

This new agreement will see excess materials being reused and recycled by Bridgwater Carnival clubs for their entries.

The first load, consisting of metal and wood, has already been donated, with more deliveries due over the coming months.

Andrew Cockcroft, Hinkley Point C’s Head of Stakeholder Engagement and Social Impact, said: “We’re always looking at ways of reducing the environmental impact of the project, and minimising waste and recycling existing materials plays a big part in this. I’m delighted we’re able to help the local carnival clubs in this way.”

We’re extremely thankful for the support. Not only does this partnership benefit the environment, but it also helps us to reduce the financial impact of buying costly new materials.

DAVID CLEAVELEY, VICE CHAIRMAN, BRIDGWATER CARNIVAL GANGS AND FEATURES