Written question asked by John Penrose (Conservative) on Wednesday, 3 September 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 10 September 2008. It was answered by Malcolm Wicks (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 September 2008 on behalf of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.

River Severn: Tidal Power

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment he has made of the likely effect on the Severn Tidal Power Feasibility Study of English Heritage's identification of Weston-Super-Mare as a conservation area.

Answer: [holding answer 10 September 2008]: The Severn Tidal Power Feasibility Study, which was launched in January 2007, is currently at its scoping phase. The Historic Environment, which includes assessment of impacts on conservation areas, has been identified as a key topic for investigation under the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) being carried out as part of the overall feasibility study. We will be consulting on the scope of the SEA around the turn of the year.English Heritage is represented on the SEA Steering Group, which includes members from a wide range of stakeholders.

Secondary information