UNCLASSIFIED
41043 - 1
11.
ON THE OTHER HAND, FOSSIL FUEL PRICES HAVE FALLEN SINCE 1985. PROJECTING THESE FORWARD TO THE END OF THE CENTURY AND
BEYOND IS SUBJECT TO GREAT UNCERTAINTY. I HAVE, HOWEVER,
EXAMINED THE INSPECTOR'S ECONOMIC CASE AGAINST A RANGE OF COAL
PRICES CONSIDERABLY LOWER THAN THOSE DISCUSSED IN THE REPORT.
12.
EVEN AGAINST THIS LOWER RANGE, I HAVE CONCLUDED THAT
SIZEWELL B REMAINS THE CHEAPEST OPTION FOR MEETING THE
ANTICIPATED NEED FOR NEW CAPACITY. I HAVE ALSO CONCLUDED, AS DID
THE INSPECTOR, THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF A FURTHER NUCLEAR STATION
WOULD BE A VALUABLE STEP IN ACHIEVING GREATER FUEL DIVERSITY IN
OUR GENERATING SYSTEM.
13. IN VIEW OF THE INSPECTOR'S CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS, TOGETHER WITH MY OWN CONSIDERATION OF THE ISSUES, I AGREE WITH
HIS CONCLUSIONS THAT SIZEWELL B IS ACCEPTABLY SAFE AND WOULD MEET
A NATIONAL NEED BY PROVIDING NEW CAPACITY AT LEAST COST. THIS
OUTWEIGHS ANY DISADVANTAGE FROM DISTURBANCE TO THE LOCALITY.
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IN
14. I HAVE THEREFORE DECIDED TO GIVE MY CONSENT UNDER SECTION 2
OF THE ELECTRIC LIGHTING ACT 1909 TO THE CEGB'S APPLICATION TO CONSTRUCT THE SIZEWELL B POWER STATION, TOGETHER WITH DEEMED
PLANNING PERMISSION UNDER SECTION 40 OF THE TOWN AND COUNTRY
PLANNING ACT 1971, AND THE NECESSARY INVESTMENT APPROVAL.
ORDER TO MINIMISE DISTURBANCE TO THE LOCALITY, I HAVE DECIDED THAT THIS SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE DETAILED LOCAL PLANNING
CONDITIONS PROPOSED BY THE INSPECTOR AND SHOULD EXCLUDE THE
CEGB'S PROPOSAL FOR A NEW ACCESS ROAD, CONSENT FOR WHICH IS
REFUSED. IN MY DECISION LETTER, WHICH SETS OUT MY DETAILED RESPONSE, I ALSO ACCEPT THE SUBSTANCE OF THE INSPECTOR'S OTHER
RECOMMENDATIONS. A NUMBER OF THESE RECOMMENDATIONS WILL NOW NEED
TO BE ACTIVELY FOLLOWED UP OUTSIDE GOVERNMENT. IN PARTICULAR,
CAN SAY THAT I AGREE WITH THE INSPECTOR THAT A STUDY OF
ALTERNATIVES TO THE B1122 FOR HEAVY TRAFFIC SHOULD BE MADE AND AM
COMMENDING THIS TO THE SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL.
I
UNCLASSIFIED
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