Experts raise concerns over environmental credentials of the 拢850m Swansea Tidal Lagoon green energy project
The environmental credentials of the 拢850m Swansea Tidal Lagoon green energy project have been called into question by experts.
The project to generate electricity from tidal water movement in Swansea Bay, on which Atkins is working as lead designer with contractor Costain, could generate enough power to run around 120,000 homes if it is given the go-ahead.
But experts have raised concerns over the scheme鈥檚 environmental credentials.
In its response to the Planning Inspectorate鈥檚 examination of the scheme, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said it 鈥渄id not consider鈥� that a number environmental issues had been 鈥渁dequately assessed鈥�.
It said the project was likely to have a 鈥渟ignificant effect鈥� on conservation areas in Swansea Bay.
It added that the construction of the tidal lagoons, which will require a 9.5km sea wall, had the 鈥減otential鈥� to cause flooding but mitigation had not been considered.
It said: 鈥淲e do not share the same level of confidence as the applicant in the levels of significance and risks ascribed to a range of predicted environmental impacts.
鈥淭hese differences of opinion mean we are not in a position to advise whether the full range and scope of monitoring and mitigation currently suggested is adequate.鈥�
NRW also said that there were concerns about lack of arrangements for monitoring the project鈥檚 effect on the bay鈥檚 population of marine mammals, while the RSPB raised concerns over the scheme鈥檚 effect on the natural feeding stock for birds in the area.
Neighbouring property owner St Modwen, which may be forced to sell part of its land for the development, said it was 鈥渕ost concerned about the financial viability of the development 鈥� and the extent of the unquantifiable costs not least of which will be the payment of compensation to the landowners鈥�.
鈥淭hese concerns need to be addressed by the putting in place of a significant financial bond to be provided by a bank or other reputable institution,鈥� the developer said.
Tidal Lagoon Power confirmed that it is currently revising a number of its environmental plans, including those on flooding and marine mammal monitoring, in response to the issues raised in the planning process.
Alex Herbert, head of planning at Tidal Lagoon Power, said it was working with stakeholders 鈥渢o address outstanding concerns about the project and its impacts, as part of the ongoing development consent order examination process鈥�.
He added: 鈥淚t is now the job of the Planning Inspectorate to determine if our application meets the criteria required for this game changing development to be given the go-ahead.
鈥淲e firmly believe that our application makes absolute economic, social and environmental sense.鈥�
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