Suspend pylon plan plea by Mid Wales MP
Shropshire Star | July 28, 2014 | www.shropshirestar.com
The Government is being asked to intervene in the fight to stop pylons being set up across Shropshire and Mid Wales to link windfarms to the national electricity network.
Glyn Davies, MP for Montgomeryshire, will seek help from Planning Secretary Eric Pickles in a bid to prevent a 33-mile power line from Cefn Coch in Mid Wales to Lower Frankton, near Ellesmere, from being built.
It comes after National Grid chiefs “refused point blank” to suspend the plans after talks with Mr Davies at his Westminster office.
Campaigners opposing the plans fear the power line, which will be needed if the go-ahead is given to plans for windfarms in Mid Wales, would decimate the tourist industry and devastate the region’s landscape.
Under current proposals the power line would only run underground for a stretch through the Meifod valley.
Mr Davies said: “I thought it was important that I formally ask them (National Grid) to suspend the plans until they know whether or not the line is needed.
“But they refused to do that, saying they are contractually obliged to progress the project.
“It was entirely what I expected but the meeting was valuable to me because now I can move it forward.
“Now I will go to Eric Pickles, the Secretary of State for Planning, to take issues surrounding the project up with him.
“I will ask the secretary of state how we can have this project suspended until we know if it is needed and to ensure the community can get across their views effectively.
“I remain confident we will win this battle,” he added.
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/07/28/suspend-pylon-plan-plea-by-mid-wales-mp/