Ambitious plans to build the world’s largest tidal power scheme on the River Mersey have received strong support in its first public engagement.

More than 3,000 responses were received with 84% backing the project and 92% supporting the need for more renewable energy to be produced in the Liverpool City Region.

Results of the non-statutory consultation reveal more than three-quarters ‘strongly’ support the scheme – with a further 8% ‘somewhat’ supporting the project that could provide enough clean, predictable energy to power hundreds of thousands of homes for at least 120 years.

Running from 1 October to 15 November 2024, the engagement included 10 drop-in events, held across the city region, which were attended by 1,238 people.  The consultation also featured a website and online survey.

In total, 3,039 responses were received from a range of respondents including local authorities, businesses, environmental organisations, charities, local groups, and members of the public.

Speaking about the consultation response, Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram, said:

“The response to the first phase of the consultation has been overwhelmingly positive, and it’s clear that there is strong support for the Mersey Tidal Power project as we explore ways to generate clean, renewable energy for the region.

“While no decisions have been made yet, this is an exciting opportunity for the city region, and we’re determined to ensure that the voices of local people are central to the development of this world-leading project.”

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is working to develop the Mersey Tidal Power project, with the preferred option to build a tidal range barrage across the River Mersey between Liverpool and the Wirral to generate renewable energy.

The project would create thousands of jobs and provide the first-ever above ground connection between Wirral and Liverpool, creating the potential for new walking and cycling routes, flood protection and climate mitigation responses. It would also include locks for ships to pass through.

Cllr Anthony Burns, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Cabinet Member for Net Zero, said:

“We’re confident that the Mersey Tidal Power project, which would be the largest of its kind in the world, has a vital part to play in helping the transition away from fossil fuels to green, renewable electricity. But we know that we have to have the support of the public to move ahead with this transformational project and that’s why we’re committed to speaking with and listening to local people as we continue the project’s development.”

The Project is deemed a ‘Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project’ under the Planning Act 2008.  That means an application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) will be required which will be determined by the Planning Inspectorate on behalf of the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.

The non-statutory consultation (the ‘Phase 1 Community Consultation’) was held to gain the views of local communities and stakeholders on emerging proposals for the project. This was in advance of a statutory consultation on the proposed application, which will be carried out later in 2025, in accordance with the Planning Act 2008.

Consultees cited positive economic and environmental opportunities for the city region when explaining their support for the project, with the walking and cycling link across the barrage frequently highlighted as a benefit to local communities. Many respondents also considered the River Mersey to be well suited for tidal energy.

The most frequently raised areas of concern related to the project’s perceived potential environmental impact, particularly around effects on the river and wildlife – such as birds, mammals, and fish – as well as disruption to local communities and river users. Several consultees also raised questions around project funding and eventual cost.

Suggestions for environmental enhancements that could be delivered as part of the project were also received – such as habitat creation, green infrastructure and tree planting – as well as feedback and ideas for future public consultation.

Findings from the consultation will be considered in the development of the project – which will include further engineering design work, stakeholder and landowner engagement, and environmental assessments. Details of how feedback from the non-statutory consultation has helped to shape the scheme will be provided at a later date.

Of respondents to the consultation, 36% said they lived in Liverpool (1,053), with 28% (824) from the Wirral, and Sefton 14% (392). Fewer responses were from St Helens 3% (84) and Warrington 2% (65), while 3% (77) stated they lived in other areas, such as Cheshire East, Lancashire, Manchester, Yorkshire, London, with some adding they previously lived within one of the listed areas but have since moved away.