§ Mr. RichardsTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress has been made on the feasibility study commissioned by Cardiff Bay development corporation into the possibility of creating a major bird reserve on the Gwent levels to compensate for the loss of feeding grounds associated with the proposed barrage.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesI have now received the report of the feasibility study, copies of which are in the Library of the House. It concludes that the proposed freshwater habitats at Redwick and salt water ponds at Goldcliff have the potential to create an area of wetland of outstanding value for wintering and breeding waterfowl and for other rare or threatened bird species.
178WIt is very encouraging that the consultants assessed the proposals to have such significant potential for wild birds. We are grateful to the Countryside Council for Wales and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, which have given constructive advice throughout this exercise. Planning permission will now have to be sought and the land acquired and, if this is successful, the Government will be making the necessary funding available.