December 13, 2012
Wales

Council opposes Menai Strait pylon proposals

Published date: 13 December 2012 | Published by: Geraint Jones | North Wales Chronicle | www.northwaleschronicle.co.uk

Proposals to erect pylons across the Menai Strait could impact Anglesey’s environment and tourist trade, according to council chiefs.

An extraordinary general meeting of Anglesey Council tomorrow (Friday, December 14) will discuss National Grid’s preferred option to connect the proposed Wylfa B nuclear power station and Rhiannon wind farm.

A council report added the authority was “disappointed and concerned” that National Grid had already selected a preferred option without allowing stakeholders to consider available options and suggest alternatives.

It added: “The council is concerned that in selecting its preliminary preferred option it has placed greater weight on what it considers to be a less costly option compared to the environmental and socio-economic impacts in Anglesey and the mainland.”

The preferred Wylfa-Pentir option includes a choice of four route corridors and five crossing points across the Menai Strait for an overhead line.

The proposal also includes three potential sites for a new substation near Bryncir.

The meeting will also be asked to approve the council’s response to Celtic Array Ltd’s consultation on the Rhiannon wind farm, which would include between 147 and 440 turbines around 12 miles off the north east Anglesey coast.

The development could generate enough power for around 1.7 million homes.
The response calls for further consideration to be given to skills development, the potential effect on the Welsh language and the cumulative impact of the development allied to Wylfa B and the National Grid’s North Wales connection project.
Meanwhile, National Grid has urged Anglesey and Gwynedd residents to contribute to its consultation, which ends of December 21.
Senior project manager Martin Kinsey said: “This feedback is really important and will help us to identify which options we take forward to the next stage of development, and also where we need to give particular consideration to reducing the effects of our work in areas that are especially sensitive.”
To contribute, visit www.northwalesconnection.com/www.cysylltiadgogleddcymru.com, email nationalgrid@cysylltiadgogleddcymru.com/nationalgrid@northwalesconnection.com or call 0800 990 3567.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/12/13/council-opposes-menai-strait-pylon-proposals/