TOURISM in the Westcountry could be threatened by plans for a "tidal lagoon" generating power in the Severn Estuary, ministers have been warned.

Among five green energy projects shortlisted by ministers last week, three were full-scale barrages stretching across the waters between England and Wales. But two were so-called lagoons – one on each side of the estuary.

Speaking in a Commons debate, Bridgwater MP Ian Liddell-Grainger raised concerns about the effects on the tourist trade along the Somerset coast.

Ministers insist the impact of all the proposals will be taken into account before deciding whether or not to go ahead with the scheme.

He claimed the "bargain basement lagoon will not be cheap" and could cause damage to the environment.

"I wonder what the impact will be on the seaside holidaymakers who are absolutely crucial to that part of the coastline, not just in Weston-super-Mare but in Brean and in Burnham," he said.

"Tourism is an absolutely vital ingredient of our local economy and we just cannot avoid to lose the seaside because of a lagoon."

Energy minister Joan Ruddock insisted the Government must "understand the potentially considerable effects on the estuary's unique and internationally important environment" as well as the impacts on the local economy, including tourism.

"Only when we have that information will we decide whether we want to support a scheme, and that decision will be a question of which of all the alternative low-carbon options offers the best, fairest and most sustainable way to meet our climate change goals," she said.

Last week Energy Secretary Ed Miliband insisted "tough choices" had to be made in the fight against climate change.

He unveiled the shortlist of tidal schemes published by the Government, including a 10-mile barrage, two smaller barrages and two tidal "lagoons" on the English and Welsh coasts.

Mr Miliband was also adamant he had not "lost sight" of other technology which had been on a list of 10 schemes under consideration.

These include a 12-mile tidal reef and tidal fences which would not dam the estuary like a barrage, causing less impact on its world-renowned habitat.

During the Commons debate, Mr Liddell-Grainger bemoaned the fact plans for the Severn barrage have been on the drawing board since 1974.

He claimed "no-one really wants to be responsible for making a decision" because the project is "one of the most poisoned chalices faced by any minister".

He said scientists are "at loggerheads" with energy experts saying one thing and the green lobby "something completely different".

The Bridgwater bay lagoon would be on the English side of the estuary between Hinkley Point and Weston-super-Mare. Mr Liddell-Grainger demanded the Government give a "cast-iron assurance" a lagoon so close to Hinkley Point nuclear power station "would not hinder its vital supply of cooling water or the outflow".

Energy giant EDF is exploring the possibility of building two new reactors on the Hinkley site and the lagoon should not be allowed to interfere with the plans, Mr Liddell-Grainger said.

"The difference between nuclear power and harnessing the tidal flow is that nuclear has a proven record," he said. "The estuary has never been given a chance."

He told the Government "the time for shilly-shallying is over" and called for ministers to give the go-ahead to a barrage "as quickly as possible".

Prime Minister Gordon Brown yesterday claimed the British tourism industry could buck the economic trend this year.

He told MPs: "We will continue to do our best to create jobs and to boost the British tourism industry, which, I believe, will do well this summer."