First minister backs Severn barrage plan (From Penarth Times)

First minister backs Severn barrage plan

10:06pm Thursday 20th April 2006 in Latest news

PLANS to construct an electricity-producing barrage across the Severn estuary from Lavernock Point near Penarth to Somerset are back on the political agenda at the highest level and have won the approval of both the First Minister of the Welsh Assembly Government and the Welsh Secretary.

Both Rhodri Morgan, First Minister of the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) and Welsh Secretary Peter Hain are urging Westminster to consider building a barrage across the Severn estuary as a option preferable to building new nuclear power stations.

Rhodri Morgan has called on the Department of Trade and Industry to conduct a feasibility study on proposals for an eight-mile barrage.

The report, which is being submitted as part of the government s energy review, will also call for an environmental impact assessment on the plans.

Assembly Energy Minister Andrew Davies said the barrage would produce the same amount of energy as two nuclear plants but have three times the lifespan.

Andrew Davies said: The barrage could potentially be the largest single renewable energy source in the UK, holding water at high tide before releasing it through turbines.

In a letter to Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks, Peter Hain said the barrage could supply five percent of the UK s energy needs.

He said: A Severn barrage or tidal lagoon could have the ability to produce the same amount of electricity as three to five nuclear power stations.

The Department of Trade and Industry has confirmed it is willing to include the barrage in its far-reaching energy review ordered by Prime Minister Tony Blair before he decides whether to replace Britain s ageing nuclear power stations.

Anthony Ernest, councillor for the Sully Ward of the Vale of Glamorgan Council which includes Lavernock, said: This proposal raises a number of serious questions: What local consultations have been carried out before making such a decision? When was the Vale of Glamorgan Council (or any other Local Authority) asked to comment on such a scheme? Which policies in the Vale of Glamorgan Adopted UDP were considered prior to making such a recommendation to London?

Cllr Ernest continued: This proposal would decimate the largest Country Park in the Vale of Glamorgan, with the loss of over 350,000 visitors a year, destroy part of the River Severn Scientific Site of Special Interest adjacent to Lavernock Point, have a huge impact on the viability of Cardiff, Newport and Avonmouth as shipping ports, and affect scores of other sea based tourism resources, has apparently not even been considered, let alone the many thousands of local residents whose lives would be dramatically disturbed by such a proposal.

A Neath businessman recently unveiled 650m plans for a 10km-wide barrage to include 12 floating islands of executive housing, a light railway and dual carriageway and 14 electricity-generating turbines.