100,000ha at risk from Severn barrage

Farmers stand to have land confiscated as a result of a plan to create the world’s largest tidal power station in the Severn estuary.

Farmland around the River Severn is likely to be flooded and low-lying land elsewhere turned into wildlife habitats to compensate.

William Worsley, deputy president of the Country Land and Business Association, said farmland as far afield as East Anglia could be compulsorily purchased.

“Large scale compulsory purchase – perhaps as much as 100,000 hectares – would be a shocking consequence of the proposed Severn barrage.”

But wildlife too could lose out, said Mr Worsley.

“Many species whose numbers are in decline, including salmon and eels, could be denied access up the Severn which would have an immense impact on their numbers.”