Detailed plans for pylon corridor and substation released

A multi-million-pound project that would see a new energy substation built and then connected to the National Grid in Shropshire by a 132kV overhead line through our countryside has reached a key stage.

Green GEN Cymru has launched the statutory consultation for its proposed Vyrnwy Frankton Project until April 16.

While parts of the power cable will run underground, huge swathes of our Montgomeryshire countryside will be impacted with new pylons erected to carry the cable over ground (similar to the one pictured).

The energy giant said that it will be holding four Montgomeryshire community events in Llanymynech, Meifod, Llanrhaeadr and Llansantffraid as part of the process.

Protesters, including Montgomeryshire Against Pylons, fiercely oppose the plans which are similar to those submitted nearly 15 years ago that were eventually defeated.

However, they face a tougher fight this time around with governments in both Westminster and Cardiff keen to meet tough green energy targets.

This is why Green GEN Cymru says they need the project:

The Vyrnwy Frankton Project would connect renewable energy to the electricity network for supply to homes, hospitals, schools, businesses, and communities.

The project includes a new substation near Cefn Coch, a section of underground cable and sealing end compound, a 132kV overhead line and a switching station to connect to the national electricity network near to Lower Frankton, Shropshire.

The new connection will also become part of a more resilient network for the region – creating capacity to support local investment and providing for a future in which the demand for electricity will increase significantly to heat homes and buildings, and to charge domestic and agricultural vehicles.

How you can take part in the process:

Residents and stakeholders can find out more about the Vyrnwy Frankton Project on its website: www.greengenvyrnwyfrankton.com.

The community events where people can talk to project leaders and view digital 3D model of the route:

March 1 (10am-3pm): Llanymynech Village Hall

March 6 (2pm-7pm): Llanfair Caereinion Institute

Match 7 (2pm-7pm): Llansantffraid Village Hall

March 8 (10am-3pm): Meifod Community Centre

What can be expected?

Following the feedback received during the first stage of consultation and further environmental and technical assessments, the plans have developed and now include more detail on where the new infrastructure could go, including pylon locations and temporary construction compounds.

The more detailed design will give people a much better sense of what the connection could look like from where they live. Green GEN Cymru is now asking people to provide their feedback on the proposals so it can continue to look at ways to managing the effects of the connection.

Sean Taylor, Senior Project Manager of the Vyrnwy Frankton Project, said:

“We’ve carefully considered areas you said were important for tourism and recreation – the route is planned to keep effects on these as low we can, while balancing effects on landscape and the environment.

“You wanted us to think about effects on communities – we have carefully considered views to and from villages in designing the connection. As much as possible, we’ve used woodland and the natural shape of the landscape to help reduce potential visual effects for communities.

“The project is still open to influence – we’re committed to working closely with local communities and stakeholders as we develop our plans to keep the impacts for local people as low as we can.”

It is expected that this will be the final route-wide consultation before the application is submitted for planning consent.