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Questions to Minister for Sustainability and Housing
posted on 30/01/2009

 Lorraine Barrett: Thank you for your statement, Minister. Many people focus onthe big scheme between Cardiff and Weston—although we say ‘Cardiff’, the impact will be on people living in Sully, Lavernock, and Penarth to an extent, and some of the surrounding areas. I was interested in your comment that you are looking forward to the feedback on the study. I am concerned about how many of the people living in the affected area—were there to be a big Cardiff/Weston barrage—could get impartial information. I appreciate that we have the document, which is a big document, but will there be an opportunity for official public presentations that could be put on for people to attend in order to look at all of the options—not just in the Sully area, but in all of the areas that have been shortlisted? Does either Government plan to put on some official events where all of the information could be presented impartially?  

Jane Davidson:  I am sure that we would be happy to look at that, Lorraine. It was clear from the large number of stakeholders who came yesterday, who had a wide range of interests, that there is enormous interest right across the Severn and that those who know that the schemes are being considered are seeking further information. I have already spoken to organisations like the Severn Estuary Partnership and others on this side of the Severn about the Government’s current thinking. It is important that I make it clear here today that the Assembly Government has not taken a view on which of these options is the best. We do not have the overarching energy responsibility, but we do have the major environmental responsibility. We will want to ensure that the appropriate trade-off happens between renewable energy and the  nvironmental considerations.