Landowners urged to seek expert advice about pylons route
Leading Shropshire-based firm Halls is advising landowners across North Powys and along the English border to seek professional advice immediately the path of the proposed electricity pylons is announced by National Grid.
The next phase of the controversial Mid Wales Connection Project is set to begin in May when National Grid announces its selected route for power lines linking proposed windfarms to a new 19-acre hub at either Abermule, near Newtown or Cefn Coch, near Llanfair Caereinion.
A 400,000 volt power line carried by 50-metre high pylons will then link the hub to the National Grid in Shropshire via a sub-station at either Lower Frankton, Wigmarsh or Walford Heath.
Shaun Jones, a rural professional services director at Halls in Shrewsbury, urged landowners to pay close attention to the chosen route of the power lines, pylons, hub and sub-station.
Landowners whose land is affected by the chosen route should seek professional advice immediately to ensure that their interests are protected in compensation negotiations.
“We can advise landowners on compensation claims and about accommodation works related to the chosen route,” he added. “Landowners will be approached by National Grid and asked to take an option agreement, which will be activated if planning consent is given for the scheme.
“National Grid will wish to agree compensation principles at an early stage. Incentive payments are proposed for swift co-operation, but the important aspect to consider is injurious affection or depreciation of property values. This is available to landowners or occupiers who will have pylons on their land.
“I suspect that a small section of the cabling will be underground in sensitive areas, but it’s a balancing exercise for landowners because this work will cause a lot more physical disturbance. Smaller and less intrusive pylons are being considered. My advice to landowners is seek professional advice at an early stage.”
Mr Jones is a member of the NFU Professional Services Panel of expert rural surveyors in the West Midlands.
