West Somerset Lagoon Enjoys Substantial Public Support, Local Consultation Finds

West Somerset Lagoon Limited's recent public consultation found that 63.1% of the over 600 respondents backed the project's move to its next stage of development.

The consultation, which was open to the public from 16 January 2026 to 2 April 2026, received 625 responses. Of those, 578 respondents (92%) cited at least one community benefit from the project, with clean renewable energy and coastal protection ranking highest, followed by job creation. Respondents also showed broad support for the amenities in Minehead's draft masterplan, with particular support for the proposed ferry to Wales, the new promenade and the marine diversity islands.

There was also significant concern about the traffic impacts during construction, with 44% of respondents either Very Concerned or Concerned. That concern was sharpest in the two areas where opposition was most concentrated: over a third of Minehead's 235 respondents and around a quarter of Watchet's 103 ranked among those most opposed to the project on traffic grounds. The most common suggestions were improvements to the A39 between Bridgwater and Minehead and a direct rail link between Minehead and Taunton.

Commenting on the results of the consultation, Aidan Clegg, Chief Executive Officer of West Somerset Lagoon Limited, said:

"I would like to thank all members of the public who contributed to this valuable consultation. Whilst it is early days, we are pleased that a significant proportion of respondents saw the opportunities for West Somerset and for the UK of harnessing the clean power available from the world's second largest tidal range in the Bristol Channel, as well as the regeneration benefits that would accompany such a project.

We understand respondents' concerns about the potential impact on traffic and will work with Somerset Council to mitigate these."

Rachel Gilmour MP, the local MP for Tiverton and Minehead, said:

"I am absolutely delighted that constituents have had the opportunity to feed in their thoughts through the consultation. This is an ongoing process, and nothing will happen without continuous consultation. I believe that the project represents a transformative vision for the future of West Somerset."

A copy of the report summarising the findings from the consultation can be found HERE.

Notes to Editors:

• Somerset Council has submitted a bid to the Department for Transport's Structures Fund for improvements to the B3191, see it HERE.