Renewable energy creation could alter Severn estuary ecology

The issue was raised by the government as it applied to the European Union (EU) for special conservation status for three estuaries - the Severn, Dee and Humber.
Joan Ruddock, biodiversity minister, said: "In submitting these sites the government has demonstrated its commitment to the protection and restoration of the UK's richly diverse, and internationally important, wildlife habitats. "We will work towards ensuring that our environmental protection agenda and our aim to develop renewable sources of power are complementary."