January 5, 2015
Wales

Politician wants pylon plans postponed

Ben Goddard | County Times | 05 January 2015 | www.countytimes.co.uk

A politician has called for plans for pylons to connect Mid Wales windfarms to the electrical supply to be postponed.

Consultations by the National Grid will begin again tomorrow Tuesday, January 6, to look at the detailed route for the Mid Wales Connection Project, which could see the building of an electrical substation and pylons to carry power generated by windfarms in Mid Wales to the national electricity network in Shropshire.

However Russell George, Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire, hopes that the consultation can be delayed until the results of the Mid Wales Conjoined Windfarm Inquiry are known – he expects this may not happen until May, 2015.

He said: “My own view is that they should suspend their work but they are unlikely to do this as they are driven by a timetable set by the developers.

“However, I would strongly urge people to attend the public consultation events and let their views be known.

“I fully appreciate that there are different views on the plans for hundreds of further turbines throughout Mid Wales but I am clear on my position – I will continue to fully oppose the Mid Wales Connection project and will do all I can to influence the Secretary of State for Energy, Ed Davey, to reject the applications that went before the inquiry. It is still unclear whether a final decision will be made before the General Election next May.

“I also believe that the Welsh Government, as a key consultee on nationally significant energy infrastructure projects, must also stand up for the interests of Mid Wales and reflect the deep-seated concerns and opposition which exists in Mid Wales.”

Consultations
The National Grid consultation events will be held at: Cwm Llanllugan Community Centre on Tuesday, January 6, between 1.30pm and 7.30pm; West Felton Village Hall on Wednesday, January 7, between 1.30pm and 7.30pm; Llanfair Caereinion Institute on Thursday, January 8, between 1.30pm and 7.30pm; Maesbrook Village Hall on Friday, January 9, between 1.30pm and 7.30pm; Meifod Village Hall on Saturday, January 10, between 10am and 4pm; Four Crosses Village Centre on Monday, January 12, between 5pm and 8pm; Llansantffraid Community Centre on Tuesday, January 13, between 1.30pm and 7.30pm; Llanymynech Village Hall on Saturday, January 17, between 10am and 4pm; and at the Navigation Inn, Maesbury Marsh, on Wednesday, January 21, between 1.30pm and 7.30pm.
The consultation closes for residents to make representations on Monday, February 9.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/01/05/politician-wants-pylon-plans-postponed/