Natural England

Responding to John Hutton’s announcement at the Labour Party Conference that the Government is commissioning a major feasibility study into tidal power to focus on the potential of a Severn Barrage, Sir Martin Doughty, Chair of Natural England said:

“Climate change is the biggest threat facing the natural environment. We urgently need a strategic assessment of the options for meeting the Government’s 2050 carbon reduction target and their impacts on the natural environment. Without this, it’s impossible to come to a view on proposals on the scale of a Severn Barrage.”

Sir Martin continued, “Any proposal for a barrage would have to prove that it was in the over-riding public interest under the EU Habitats Directive. It would be impossible to make this judgement without a strategic assessment of all renewable energy technologies and their potential impact on the natural environment.”

“The Severn Estuary is a conservation site of international importance. The mudflats, sandbanks, rocky platforms and saltmarsh is one of the largest in Britain, providing a habitat for important populations of waterfowl, invertebrate and large numbers of migratory fish.

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For further information contact: The National Press Office on 0845 603 9953, press@naturalengland.org.uk, out of hours 07970 098005.

Notes to Editors

1. Natural England is working to enhance biodiversity, landscape and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas; promote access, recreation and public well-being, and contribute to the way natural resources are managed so that they can be enjoyed now and by future generations.

2. Natural England believes that climate change is the greatest threat faced by the natural world and supports the need to increase the percentage of energy we generate from renewable sources. We will work to facilitate the uptake of renewable energy in appropriate locations.

3. The Severn Estuary is a conservation site of international importance being a Special Protection Area and candidate Special Area of Conservation under the EU Birds and Habitats Directives (part of the European Natura 2000 network) and a Ramsar Site under the Ramsar Convention.

4. The Natura 2000 network protects the very best wildlife habitats in Europe. The UK Government has a duty and responsibility within Europe to uphold the Habitat Regulations and ensure the protection of Natura 2000 sites. Any proposal for a Severn Barrage could only proceed if it has first shown that the development can be carried out in a way that is compliant with the regulations.

5. The Government’s announcement today comes ahead of the expected publication on 1 October of a report by the Sustainable Development Commission on the potential contribution of tidal energy to meeting the Government’s carbon emissions reduction targets. Natural England is positive about the potential development of tidal stream technology and will seek to work from an early stage with developers of these technologies to help ensure that they are developed and located in a manner which minimises their impact upon the natural environment whilst at the same time contributing to the vital task of mitigating climate change.