No More Pylons On Anglesey, Says County Council
The Full Council yesterday (Thursday, May 26th) repeated its strong opposition to erecting more electricity pylons on Anglesey.
Members formally requested that National Grid conduct further investigation into a fully undergrounded option.
They also called on National Grid to give more consideration to a proposed engagement plan and consultation zone, as part of its draft Statement of Community Consultation (SoCC).
The Planning Act 2008 requires National Grid to consult with the local community about its plans to construct a second overhead 400kv high voltage electricity transmission line and towers across the Island. It must consult before obtaining a Development Consent Order (DCO) as part of its planning consent.
Anglesey Chief Executive, Dr Gwynne Jones, said, “There are a number of matters which require further consideration or greater detail before we can be confident that the SoCC will deliver effective community consultation. I shall also be seeking assurances of a further revised draft from National Grid before the SoCC is finalised.”
He added, “In respect of National Grid’s proposals for pylons, our elected members were again unanimous in their position that no more should be constructed across Anglesey and Menai Strait. They also formally requested that further investigations should be carried out into a fully undergrounded option.
National Grid is already planning an underground connection across the Menai Strait, given its location within Anglesey’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
Opposition to new pylons across the Island remains signifianct, with National Grid’s preferred ‘orange corridor’ proposing a new overhead power line from the Wylfa substation to Pentir substation in Gwynedd.
Council Leader, Cllr Ieuan Williams, added, “Undergrounding would mean no long term visual impact, a significant advantage, and the indications from experts in this field are that undergrounding is also likely to be technically feasible.”
“Planning policy and relevant legislation also provide a clear and compelling case against new overhead lines and pylons. Our officers believe that National Grid’s preferred option of more pylons would be detrimental to the well-being of residents as well as have a negative effect on the Island’s natural beauty.”
This would include the potential impact of overhead lines on the Island’s tourism industry, which generates £260m annually as well as the cumulative impacts and potentially unforeseen effects on local communities.
National Grid’s current time table envisages that the statutory consultation process and engagement will take place in late 2016.
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