the investment to be spent in UK. The plant would largely replicate the Hinkley Point C design to reuse experience and attempt to lower costs. In June 2020, EDF had yet to organise financing, and could not take on more construction risk in the UK. EDF was looking to the UK government to assist with financing either by offering a Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model used on less risky infrastructure, though that puts an immediate cost burden on end consumers, or with other approaches such as a government equity stake in the development. On 30 June 2020, EDF Energy announced that it had applied to the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) for a licence to build and operate Sizewell C. The ONR is responsible for the safe operation of nuclear sites in the UK and for permitting new nuclear site licencesone of the key regulatory requirements for building and operating a new power station. On 11 September 2020, Suffolk county council said that it could not support the plans for the construction of Sizewell C in its current form, with the council saying on 23 October 2020 that the plans "do not go far enough" to mitigate the impact on the local community and on the local environment. The council said that a lack of support for the project was not the issue, and that it is that EDF "simply does not appropriately and sensitively address the impacts on our communities and the environment". EDF responded by submitting significant changes to the project which aimed to significantly reduce the number of Heavy Goods Vehicles delivering the materials required for the project by having them delivered by train and sea instead. The plans also proposed to increase the amount of land for the creation of fen meadow to help increase the net gain of biodiversity following the completion of the project. A consultation period began on 16 November 2020, which lasted for 30 days and which will inform all of the stakeholders in the project about the proposals. On 31 October 2020, the BBC claimed that the government was 'close' to giving the project the green light following intensified talks with EDF, with government officials insisting that it "remains committed to new nuclear" following the withdrawal of Horizon from Wylfa and Oldbury. The BBC also reported that the government had increased its interest in taking a stake in the project following