THE Prime Minister has put plans for a £30bn Severn barrage from South Wales to Somerset back in prospect by asking his ministers to look into the project.

The developers have hinted at the possibility of oil money from the Middle East backing the scheme.

Corlan Hafren Limited, part of the Halcrow group, is behind the plans for the barrage from Lavernock Point to Brean Down.

It incorporate vastly more turbines than earlier plans and aims to generate as much as five per cent of the UK's energy needs. However its impact on wildlife is being challenged by conservationists including the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust based at Slimbridge.

Corlan Hafren says in a statement: "The company, which is uniquely positioned to take the project forward, aims to be a focus for other organisations that wish to contribute to this ground-breaking scheme.

"The company and its associates believe that, in principle, they can deliver the Severn Barrage as a viable project without investing significant public funds.

"Corlan Hafren believes that The Severn Barrage will act as a catalyst for regeneration in Wales and South-West England, bringing substantial new, permanent jobs to the region and creating an internationally recognised centre of expertise in renewable energy provision and manufacture."

One of the barrage's main protagonists, politician Peter Hain, said: "It's encouraging that Number 10 are taking the barrage much more seriously than has been the case over the last few years."