Early this morning, concerned locals occupied threatened, ancient trees at the proposed site for a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point, near Bridgwater in Somerset. Michael Hunt, one of the tree occupiers said of their action :

“We're here to stop work on this criminal development and to protect the ancient trees that are surrounded by a special conservation area but mysteriously excluded from it“.

The protest was precipitated by last week's shocking revelation in a report by Unlock Democracy and the Association for Conservation of Energy entitled “A Corruption of Governance?”

The report reveals in detail how MPs and Parliament based their national energy policy, specifically their policy to build new nuclear power on falsified information.

The report outlines that, on the basis of the Government’s own evidence, we do not need new nuclear to ‘keep the lights on’ or reduce CO2 emissions. It goes on to show that, on the basis of the Government’s own evidence, it is not the best way to cut carbon. In everyday terms, the building of new nuclear power stations to provide electricity is likely to mean higher fuel bills.

The report concludes that this corruption of governance can only be rectified if Parliament re-opens this debate, and MPs vote on this issue having seen the correct information.

EDF's plans to disrupt lives and livelihoods by digging up the 400 acres landscape and beautiful coastline in the coming weeks has already begun with the trees, says local campaigner Sarah Stone “We managed to get an emergency tree preservation order last year because the trees were threatened by this development, but WSDC refused to make it a full order after six months because they claimed they'd given permission to EDF to trash the site even though to date this decisions is still not published. This whole application has been characterised by lies, deceit, and corporate bullying it's made a complete joke out of the British planning system and if they won't protect the trees until there is a proper decision about nuclear new build then we will”.

ENDS

Notes to Editor

- Corruption of Governance report was published last week and presented to minsiters at Parliament. It can be found here www.ukace.org

- The trees were subject to an emergency tree preservation order last March which was dropped by WSDC in October last year.

For interviews contact Theo on 01749860767 or 07805666239