Power Generation in the Severn Estuary

By mid summer 2009, the government’s planned two-year consultation on power generation in the Severn Estuary was well underway. The Mendip Society’s view, at this time, was that enough was known about the possible Weston-Cardiff Barrage – both its potential for power generation and the damage it would do – for the focus to shift to the alternatives such as tidal reefs and fences, which, the Society believes, would have much less impact on the environment than a major barrage or lagoon scheme.

As part of its representations the Society warned of the dangers of deciding in haste only to repent at leisure. It said the power generation in the estuary was ‘a project for tomorrow under any scenario - better to wait and be sure. The migratory fish and the habitats on which the birds depend will be lost unnecessarily if better schemes can be trialled and developed.’ The Society has also expressed opposition to any major extraction of stone from the Mendip Hills as part of any construction programme.