Council Strongly Welcomes Hendry Review On Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon

NPT COUNCIL STRONGLY WELCOMES HENDRY REVIEW ON SWANSEA BAY TIDAL LAGOON AND CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION TO START THE PROJECT Responding to today’s publication of the Hendry Review, Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council has strongly welcomed the findings and called for immediate action to allow the project to start construction. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Council Leader, Cllr Ali Thomas, said: “The local authorities in the region have consistently supported the lagoon and submitted evidence jointly to the review last year. The Tidal Lagoon Company made a compelling case which Charles Hendry’s conclusions strongly endorse, not least on cost. The economic benefits are also clear – as are those relating to climate change and the security of energy supply.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The Council calls upon Government at all levels to finalise matters to allow construction to start, particularly Natural Resources Wales (NRW) on the marine licence. It’s time to get on with it and put South West Wales at the forefront of an exciting new industry.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Council Chief Executive, Steve Phillips added: “The lagoon will provide an immediate boost to the local and regional economies – much needed given the uncertainties of 2016 around the steel industry. The project is also an important demonstration of how the goals of the Well-Being of Future Generations (Wales) Act can be met, including the sustainable development principle. The Council stands ready to work with the lagoon company to immediately discharge the requirements of the planning consent and maximise the benefits of this project to local people and business”. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​