Shropshire landowners advised to attend power line project exhibitions
Shropshire landowners and farmers are being advised to attend public exhibitions in their home area to view proposals to connect windfarms in Mid Wales to the national grid in Shropshire.
Shaun Jones, from the professional department at Shrewsbury-based estate agents, chartered surveyors, auctioneers and valuers Halls, says it’s important that landowners and farmers pay close attention to the two proposed substation sites and the route of power lines from North Powys to the Shropshire border.
National Grid is holding 48 public exhibitions, which started this week and run until May 6, as part of a comprehensive consultation exercise.
The two proposed substation sites are at Abermule, near Newtown and Cefn Coch, near Llanfair Caereinion. A substation is needed to collect power from a cluster of windfarms, to which new 132,000 volt connections are being developed.
A new 400,000 volt connection from the substation will then link up with an existing National Grid line either near Oswestry or Shrewsbury. The connection could be by overhead or underground cables, or a combination of both.
“It is potentially the biggest infrastructure project for the area in the last 30 years and is going to have a huge impact on a large number of landowners both in North Powys and Shropshire,” said Mr Jones. “It’s important that they seek professional advice if they wish to object to the substation location or the proposed power cable connection routes.
“The proposed pylons are 150 feet tall, 350 yards apart and, potentially, very intrusive within the landscape. Due to renewable energy targets it is highly likely the scheme will go ahead. Objections need to be well researched to be persuasive and they must be submitted by June 3.
“Proposed cable routes include the corridor along the A458 from Abermule along the northern side of the Rea valley from Forden via Worthen to Cardeston and Walford Heath.
“The proposed route from the Cefn Coch substation will go along the A495 through the Meifod valley via Llansantffraid, Maesbury Marsh, Queen’s Head to Lower Frankton. Other routes will involve Arddleen, Melverley Green, Argoed, Shotatton and Wigmarsh.”
At National Grid exhibitions and bus exhibitions, members of the team will be on hand to listen to views and answer questions.
National Grid Exhibitions
Thursday 24 March, 2pm-8pm
Alberbury Village Hall, Alberbury, Shrewsbury, SY5 9AH
Friday 1 April, 2pm-8pm
Baschurch Village Hall, Eyton Lane, Baschurch, Shrewsbury, SY4 2JN
Saturday 2 April, 10am-4pm
Westbury Village Hall, Hinton Road, Westbury, SY5 9QU
Monday 4 April, 2pm-8pm
West Felton Village Hall, The Cross, West Felton, Oswestry, SY11 4EH
Friday 8 April, 2pm-8pm
Pontesbury Public Hall, Main Shrewsbury Road, Pontesbury, Shrewsbury, SY5 0QD
National Grid Bus Exhibitions
Monday 28 March, 2pm-7pm
Llanymynech Village Hall Car Park, Llanymynech, Oswestry, SY22 6EE
Tuesday 29 March, 2pm-7pm
Marton Village Hall Car Park, Marton, West Shropshire, SY21 8JT
Wednesday 30 March, 2pm-7pm
Ford Village Hall Car Park, Ford, Shrewsbury, SY5 9LY
Thursday 31 March, 2pm-7pm
Sports Ground at Guilsfield Community Centre, Guilsfield, Welshpool, SY21 9ND
Wednesday 6 April, 2pm-7pm
Kinnerley Parish Hall Car Park, Kinnerley, Oswestry, SY10 8DB
Thursday 7 April, 2pm-7pm
St. Andrews Church Car Park, Welsh Frankton, Oswestry, SY11 4NX
Tuesday 19 April, 2pm-7pm
Criggion Village Hall Car Park, Criggion, Shrewsbury
Wednesday 20 April, 2pm-7pm
Middletown Village Hall Car Park, Middletown, Welshpool, SY21 8EL
