MEMBERS of the public and businesses are being urged to have their say over plans for a huge lagoon off the West Somerset coast.
As reported by your Leveller, the West Somerset Lagoon Project wants to build a 14-mile barrage featuring 125 underwater turbines stretching between Minehead and Watchet.
Project bosses believe the £11 billion project could generate up to electricity to power two million homes each year, for 120 years, thanks to the world’s second highest tidal range.
An outline for the project said the development could see the Minehead promenade extended by 300 metres, with a 300-boat marina and harbour, arts centre and more also developed.
Now, people are being urged to let the group know what they think of the plan – and what they would like to see it deliver.
READ MORE: Could an £11bn lagoon transform West Somerset – and the country?
MP Rachel Gilmour (Lib Dem, Minehead & Tiverton), urged residents to share their thoughts on the proposals during the consultation, which launched today (January 16) and will run until Easter.
The representative this week met project CEO Aidan Clegg and architect Julia Barfield to discuss the benefits of the project for the community and the country.
She has also written to the Prime Minister requesting a meeting to explain the plans – and how best to progress the project.
Rachel Gilmour MP with lagoon project CEO Aidan Clegg and architect Julia Barfield
“I believe the West Somerset Lagoon Project would be transformative for our region and country,” Mrs Gilmour said. “The benefits that the project would bring are huge for our constituency: thousands of new, well‑paid jobs; clean, reliable energy for 120 years; and vital Community Infrastructure Levy and Section 106 funding for local infrastructure priorities, such as the redevelopment of the B3191.
“If you live in our region, particularly in West Somerset, please read the information available and let the West Somerset Lagoon team know what you think of their plans.”
Mr Clegg added: “We are very keen that the West Somerset Lagoon brings significant benefits to the local community.
“While we have a long way to go before construction can start, we are keen to hear from local residents and businesses early in the process.”
READ MORE: West Somerset news from your Leveller
The development must not be considered in isolation particularly in terms of how it would impact on the local area, and overwhelm an already over-stretched infrastructure.
The only main road into the area, the A39, cannot cope with the ‘normal’ weight of traffic travelling into and out of the area.
And Quay Street, which is the only access road into what would be the main construction area, and ultimately provide the only road access to and from the Marina is barely able to sustain more than single lane traffic, so either the existing properties will have to be knocked down or the road from the junction with The Avenue will have to be significantly wider, if only to permit access for construction vehicles.
No mention, or even acknowledgement, of these issues has been presented, and consequently no allocation of budget for the work has been offered.
Before anyone, including the local MP offers her support, far more information needs to be provided.
Failure to do so simply further weakens what looks increasingly like a high profile vanity project which in its headlong rush to meet largely spurious energy targets is very likely to irrevocably damage a community which is already struggling .
Never heard of such ridiculous plans to ruin a section of beautiful coastline. How would a cycle path be made next to the golf course. Have you considered massive lorries along our narrow roads meeting our buses at places like narrow washford. This project is not beneficial it is disastrous.
I believe it will be a disaster for the natural beauty of Dunster Beach and Blue Anchor Bay
I have lived here in Minehead for 74 years at the Harbour as a fisherman and boatman. I think it is not a good thing they are thinking of doing. It will be a engineering disaster for Minehead and the marine life in the Bristol Channel it will kill off all the Herring spawning grounds and most other marine life. what studies have been done there is the long shore drift the marine life and then there is the mud to think about. That should take a few years to do.
Minehead to Watchet is a very special stretch of coastline. That is why so many tourists want to come here and why we are so lucky to live here. Please, let’s not damage it for short term greed. Let’s appreciate and support the rich wildlife, the natural beauty, the unique character of Watchet, BA, Dunster and Minehead, and their coastal areas, and ensure they are there for future generations of oystercatcher, people, and cuttlefish.
It’s the way to go!
Essential, it’s about time the natural tidal flow of the channel was harvested to generate electricity. As the infrastructure to provide the grid is so close by its a no brainier.
I agree, there are more than 100 tidal estuaries around the coast line if not here then some where else.