May 26, 2011
Wales

Former county MP speaks out on power plans

Published by: Richard Jones, County Times, www.countytimes.co.uk 26 May 2011

Liberal Democrat peer and former Montgomeryshire MP, Lord Carlile of Berriew, has condemned proposals to build an ugly network of pylons, wires and windfarms across the constituency as “an unnecessary and an economic error of high magnitude”.

A Deputy High Court judge and QC, Lord Carlile was MP for Montgomeryshire from 1983-1997.

He says the Welsh Assembly Government’s Tan 08 document, which identified Montgomeryshire as a prime location for windfarms, has failed to take into account the impact of the turbines on the beautiful landscape and should be reviewed.

“From the time I was MP for Montgomeryshire, I have been opposed to the ruination of the Montgomeryshire landscape by extensive windfarms and their infrastructure,” he said.

“TAN 8 fails utterly to take these important issues into account.

“The current grid proposal, to build a large and ugly network of pylons and wires, is exactly what we do not want. The contribution of on-shore wind, and such value as it presents economically, have been exaggerated in order to give the impression that there is a more mixed energy policy than is revealed by true examination of the underlying policy.

Other prominent figures opposing the plans include Lady Hooson, from Llanidloes, wife of Lord Hooson, Montgomeryshire MP from 1962-1979.

“I am totally opposed to the idea of these windfarms with hundreds of wind turbines, 47 metre high steel pylons and a 20-acre substation in our area,” said Lady Hooson.

“It would totally destroy the natural beauty of this area and have a serious effect on the tourism industry and property prices.

“The unreliable, intermittent power generated would be very expensive and not for the national or local good.”


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/05/26/former-county-mp-speaks-out-on-power-plans/