Cllr Jen Corcoran researches previous council motion
PLEDGE STATUS: COMPLETE
On Political Literacy Day, the 4th November 2021, students from King George V College met their councillor for the Kew ward of Sefton council, Jennifer Corcoran. One student asked about why plans were rejected for a scheme that would've created tidal lagoons that would've generated renewable energy in the local area, asking:
‘Why was a project that would have introduced free eco-friendly hydropower to Sefton and Southport denied, and are there any projects in the making or ideas coming in for eco-friendly options in Sefton as a whole?’
Cllr Corcoran wasn’t familiar with the proposal, so pledged to the student that she’d go back and find out about the proposal and why the decision had been made to reject it.
She has since sent us a document to pass on to the student outlining her understanding of the issue, offering a direct response to the question as well as information for that student on how she did her research. One extract of her response is this:
‘I believe this was the suggestion to develop tidal lagoons proposed by Tidal Lagoon Power (TLP).
From what I can gather, the company pitched in multiple places and this initially gathered momentum in Swansea Bay. A local councillor identified this and began to canvas support to pitch for a similar scheme in Southport.
I cannot find anything suggesting TLP liaised with Sefton Council on this, nor any motions seeking support.
TLP did secure planning permission with Swansea Bay but the scheme was later shut down by (Conservative) ministers due to cost concerns.
There is a suggestion from Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor that the eco benefits of a tidal scheme are worth pursuing and proposals for a Mersey Tidal Power project can be found online. (Link 8)
Given the progress made so far, and the secure return of Steve Rotheram for a second term this May, it seems very hopeful that this will happen on Merseyside.
If you would like me to research the Southport viability angle further, I can do this.’
To conclude, Cllr Corcoran summarised that ‘I cannot find evidence that this was brought to Sefton Council, but I have identified a similar scheme proposed in Merseyside which will benefit the Liverpool City Region, thus Sefton.’