Plans to extract rock for the construction of the proposed Swansea Bay tidal lagoon from Dean Quarry has raised concerns over the potential impact it could have on marine conservation area.
The developer of Swansea Bay tidal lagoon, Tidal Lagoon Power, plans to re-open Dean Quarry in order to extract the rock for the construction of sea wall for tidal lagoon.
Tidal Lagoon Power is expected to apply to Cornwall County Council for planning permission to re-open the quarry next month, following the decision from Secretary of State regarding the Development Consent for Tidal Lagoon Swansea Bay , for which the deadline is set on June 10, 2015.
The new owner of the Dean Quarry would be Shire Oak Quarries Ltd, a subsidiary of Shire Oak Energy, whose CEO is Mark Shorrock – also the CEO of Tidal Lagoon Power.
Dean Quarry has been closed since 2008, and the area off its location has been allocated as Marine Conservation Zone in 2013. The Manacles Marine Conservation Zone offers protection for the maerl beds, sea-fan anemone, spiny lobster and stalked jellyfish found there.
Re-opening of the quarry would include the construction of two jetties and a protective breakwater in order to enable the transport of rock by sea.
Locals are raising concerns about the potential dust and noise pollution the construction of breakwater could have on the area.
According to BBC, a statement from Tidal Lagoon Power said it would name a marine works contractor to build the lagoon wall and that the contractor will be responsible to source and transport rock for the project.
The quarry could provide between 1.9 million tonnes and 3.1 million tonnes of rock to Swansea Bay, with two to three barges being loaded for transportation each week, according to Shire Oak Quarries.
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Image: CADS