Energy and Climate Change CommitteeWritten evidence submitted by Dr Richard Brunning, Severn Estuary Levels Research Committee (SEV58)

I am contacting the Select Committee on behalf of the Severn Estuary Levels Research Committee (SELRC), a partnership that brings together the local authorities, national heritage bodies, Universities, heritage contractors and the general public who have an active interest in the historic environment of the Severn Estuary and its adjoining wetlands. The comments below represent the views of SELRC, based on several decades of local experience and long term detailed research, but should not be taken as those of the individual member organisations or individuals.

The Cardiff-Weston barrage proposal entails the risk of serious detrimental effects on very significant heritage assets, both from the direct construction and from the impact of the associated works. The latter were not considered in the recent SEA for the Severn Tidal Energy project. The historic landscape of the Severn coast that will be impacted by the scheme is extremely significant at a European level as an excellent example of early medieval coastal reclamation. The barrage would significantly add to the cumulative impact on this precious landscape resource from existing and planned development and managed realignment projects.

In addition the wetlands on both sides of the Severn and the bed of the estuary contain a wealth of archaeological sites that have remained in a state of exceptional preservation, because of waterlogged character of the deposits. This preservation means that these sites contain a much greater level of information and therefore significance, than archaeological remains found elsewhere.

SELRC believe that because of the international significance of the historic landscape and archaeological remains that will be significantly adversely impacted by the barrage that the Committee should take these considerations into account in your conclusions and recommendations.

December 2012