EDF Saltmarsh Plan Put on Hold After Farmer and Public Pushback

Farmers are happy about a paused salt marsh plan. The plan wanted to turn farmland into marshes. It would have affected land in Somerset and Gloucestershire. EDF planned this to offset fish deaths at Hinkley Point C. The power plant is located near Stogursey.

EDF now says it found a new fish protection method. This new technology comes from the South West. They paused the marsh plan because of this. However, they might need it later.

Claire Stuckey posted about the win. Her family’s land was at risk. She shared the news on a Facebook group and said the last months were hard. She hopes they can move forward now.

Farmers learned about the plan in September 2024. EDF sent letters, surprising many people. Martin Sewell called the letters a “surprise attack” when he spoke at a public meeting with EDF.

The power plant uses water from the Severn Estuary. It kills fish in its cooling system. They have a fish return system, but some still die. About 44 tons of fish could die each year.

Hinkley Point C’s permit included acoustic deterrents. These speakers would scare fish away. Divers found installing them too risky. So, EDF suggested creating salt marshes instead.

Now, they have a new idea. It uses high-frequency sounds from the surface. This would keep the fish away. EDF prefers this option to salt marshes, and paused the marsh project to test it.

They are canceling access agreements in the area. They won’t consult on salt marsh creation, as they hope it’s not needed anymore. But, they may need the marshes in the future. They need to finish the acoustic test first.

Tessa Munt, a local MP, is relieved. She sees common sense from EDF and will watch the situation closely. She notes it is a “pause” not a cancellation and called the original plan “bonkers.”