Concerns to be raised over pylon construction plan

A town council is to raise concerns regarding a proposed energy scheme that would see a 50km (31-mile) long network of pylons installed.

The Vyrnwy Frankton project, proposed by Green GEN Cymru, would take power from a substation near Cefn Coch, in Powys, to the existing network near Lower Frankton, Shropshire.

Oswestry Town Council discussed the project, which would involve installation of 171 pylons with an average height of 28.5m (93.5ft).

Green GEN Cymru said the scheme was necessary to add capacity to the local network and address the climate emergency by providing the necessary infrastructure to connect green energy to the grid.

To facilitate the connection request, National Grid Electricity Transmission will develop its own proposals for a 400kV substation in the Lower Frankton area, which will connect to the new 132kV switching station.

At a meeting on Wednesday, Oswestry Town councillors discussed their concerns.

"There are alternatives – you can have it underground which will reduce the impact," said councillor James Owen.

"It will be more difficult, but this is a project that will be around for 50 years. We should object and ask them if they can consider putting the cables underground."

Councillor Duncan Kerr said there was a "huge amount of documentation" available.

"I don't think we can make our decision if in favour or against it without looking at it," he said.

"Clearly, all of us would like for it to be underground, but… I think we should note it, see how it develops and it's one for the area committee because it has land that crosses it."

Councillor Mike Isherwood said: "The proposal is that we raise concerns around the impact on the landscape and local residents, and the wider impact on the area in terms of visitors.

"We request that the company does all in its power to mitigate those concerns, especially in the most sensitive landscape areas."

The proposal to raise concerns was unanimously agreed by councillors.

Update 17 March: This story has been amended to make clear that while councillors have agreed to raise concerns about the scheme, the council has not formally voted to object to it.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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