by Eric Munn

CONTROVERSIAL plans to cont-inuously dredge the River Dee have been given the go-ahead - and it's been claimed the proposals are gambling with the environment.

North Wales-based Port of Mostyn's redevelopment - aimed at making itself an important player in North West shipping - requires the dredging of a deep channel to allow access for larger vessels, in particular the possible shipment of Airbus wings built in Broughton for the new A380 super jumbo jet.

The scheme has been agreed by government body the Environment Agency, which has responsibility for the UK's coastline.

The plans must now go before the Department of Transport for final approval before dredging can begin.

An assessment, conducted by Port of Mostyn, states the dredging will not create any problems: "The maintenance dredging and dredging disposal project will not have a significantly adverse effect on the Dee estuary."

But Flintshire's Green Party councillor, Klaus Armstrong Braun, believes that the assessment is biased and inaccurate.

He said: "If you go into a pond and stir up the sediment, think how long it will take to settle.

"Continuous dredging will have serious effects on sand banks. It will also cut the light levels in the water so plankton and other animals won't be able to grow."

Scientists agree that there is no way of knowing the impact dredging will have on the estuary and its wildlife.

Mr John Howarth, a researcher from Bidston's Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory, said: "The possibilities are there but at the moment we cannot be sure what effect the dredging is likely to have."