April 5, 2014
Wales

‘Cables must go underground — that is non-negotiable’

Carmarthen Journal | April 02, 2014 | www.carmarthenjournal.co.uk

Two Plaid Cymru politicians have said the under-grounding of cables connecting a windfarm to the national grid is non-negotiable following a series of public meetings.

Residents in the Pencader area used a meeting last week to voice their opposition towards a windfarm in Brechfa being connected to the national grid via overground cables.

Western Power Distribution’s preferred option would be for cables to travel from the Brechfa area all the way down the line of the A485 and the A484 to the proposed connection to the existing overhead power line near Llandyfaelog.

Many residents are concerned that overground cables would affect the surrounding landscape.

Ysgol Cae’r Felin in Pencader was packed as Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM and Jonathan Edwards PM held their third public meeting on the subject.

The Plaid Cymru politicians said that due to the public opposition they are demanding that the cables be placed underground.

Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM said: “Under- grounding of the cables is non-negotiable.

“That is the view of the residents we represent and that is the position on which we will continue to campaign in the strongest possible terms.

“As we continue that campaign, I would urge all residents which may be affected by these proposals to contact a Land Agent for advice on how to proceed during the development. Land Agent’s fees are paid by the developer, but it important residents seek these services before signing any documentation.”

Andrew Hubbold from Western Power Distribution said: “Our consultation period started on Monday 17 February and ends on Friday 11 April and I encourage everyone to send in their feedback to us on the proposed route alignment options, either online through the WPD project website or by using the freepost service.

“We held thirteen events with landowners and residents at locations between Brechfa Forest and Llandyfaelog in February and March this year attended by around 600 people.

“I would like to thank everyone for taking the time to come along and find out more about the project and the UK Government’s guidance about undergrounding new electricity connections.”

He added: “Once we have carried out more detailed surveys and analysed the feedback we may decide that for landscape, visual, ecological and technical reasons it might be justified to underground parts of the proposed route.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/04/05/cables-must-go-underground-that-is-non-negotiable/