National White Water Centre 01678 521199 Canolfan Tryweryn, Frongoch, [email protected] Bala, Gwynedd. LL23 7NU www.canoewales.com The Welsh Ministers Planning Inspectorate Crown Buildings Cathays Park Cardiff CF10 3NQ 30/10/2019 Re: Objection to the Application by Mentor Môn for the Morlais Tidal Array, Anglesey Canoe Wales is the Governing Body for Paddlesport in Wales. We are here to support our members, advocate for canoeing and kayaking in Wales and help paddlers at every step on their paddlesport career – whether they are recreational paddlers who want to enjoy our gorgeous lakes, rivers and coastal waters, or competitive paddlers on their way to Olympic or Paralympic podiums. Sea kayaking is a significant activity around Anglesey with the waters around the tidal array being particularly popular. Many clubs both locally and from across the UK come to paddle in the area, and there is also a thriving guiding community taking groups out. It is highly likely that this development would have a significant impact on anyone wishing to kayak in that area. Canoe Wales have been made aware of concerns that a number of our members have relating to the application for the Morlais Tidal Array. These concerns include: Consultation The consultation report states that Canoe Wales (CW) and British Canoeing (BC) were sent information regarding the development and were also invited to the public information days. Neither organisation can find a record of any information relating to either development or public information days being received. Kayaking clubs based in North Wales were not aware of the development until very recently and not were aware if any of the local guides and businesses using the waters were part of the consultation process. They don’t feel that full consideration has been given to sea kayakers. Tidal flows The impact of changing flow rates between the demonstration zone and the coast has not been fully addressed. The existing overfalls, races and eddies are likely to be significantly changed, but the modelling shown in chapter 7 is not detailed enough to be able to assess the changes. National White Water Centre 01678 521199 Canolfan Tryweryn, Frongoch, [email protected] Bala, Gwynedd. LL23 7NU www.canoewales.com Navigation The proposal is to restrict navigation in Safety Zones of 500 m around all offshore works during construction and decommissioning. The proposed safety distance is not available in some places and will result in vessels having to navigate out beyond the works (many of these vessels will be kayaks or small dinghies). It is felt that the hazard represented by any infrastructure coming above the water in areas of fast tidal flows is underplayed for kayaks and other small vessels which have limited power and steerage. In an emergency small vessels are largely at the mercy of the tides and weather and so could be swept into the arrays resulting in collisions with barges, buoys or inspection platforms. Kind regards Phil Stone Places to Paddle Manager .