§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what funding and legal procedures he proposes for mitigation and compensation measures at Redwick and Goldcliff in the county of Gwent for the possible loss of inter-tidal feeding grounds at Cardiff Bay; what consultations he has had with the Cardiff Bay development corporation and the Countryside Council for Wales in relation to the capital and revenue funding for this proposed national nature reserve at these two sites on the Gwent Levels; what consultation procedures he proposes with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and other local wildlife interests; what comparable measures of compensation and mitigation he proposes for the loss of coastal fisheries, arising from the proposed barrage; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David HuntMy officials have held a series of consultations with the Countryside Council for Wales, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and Cardiff Bay development corporation about the funding and acquisition of the proposed reserve. All three bodies, together with my Department, are represented on the steering group which oversaw the feasibility study. The steering group will continue in existence to consider details of design, planning permission and acquisition of the sites.
A range of local wildlife interests were consulted during the feasibility study, and this consultation will continue as the process of design continues. Fishing piers on the seaward side of the barrage will compensate for the loss of existing sea angling sites within Cardiff bay.