Last chance for say on mass pylon plans

Communities in in the Welshpool area are being encouraged to provide feedback on proposals for a new electricity connection, as the end of a statutory consultation on the project approaches.

Green GEN Cymru is developing the Vyrnwy Frankton project to connect wind farms in Powys to the national electricity network in Shropshire.

They say it will add much needed grid capacity and help unlock the country’s energy potential, but residents are largely opposing the plans which could see a pylon corridor cut through stunning countryside.

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

In its bid to try and win over the local population, the company said that 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.

The statutory consultation on the proposed Vyrnwy Frankton connection closes on Wednesday, April 16.

Following a period of community events and engagement, Green GEN Cymru is eager for detailed feedback on the proposals.

The company said it is keen to receive comments on the potential environmental effects of the proposals or ideas for mitigating these effects, and if they have comments on the potential benefits of the project.  

People can find out more about the Vyrnwy Frankton Project and provide feedback on its website: www.greengenvyrnwyfrankton.com. 

Sean Taylor, Senior Project Manager of the Vyrnwy Frankton Project, said: “We have had valuable discussions at our recent events and we appreciate the engagement from communities and stakeholders. Thank you to everyone who’s provided feedback so far.

“We are particularly keen to understand what impacts people think our work could have so we can look at ways to reduce them, as much as we can. The project remains open to influence, we urge people to take this opportunity to provide detailed feedback before the consultation closes.”

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

Following the end of the consultation, Green GEN Cymru will review its proposals in light of feedback received and ongoing assessments to see if there are ways they can improve them.

When the proposals are ready, the company will apply for development consent with the Secretary of State for Energy and Net Zero via the Planning Inspectorate.