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Mid Wales Connection route announced – now for the detail says CLA

CLA Midlands says that now the route of National Grid’s Mid Wales Connection Project has been announced it is vital that everyone affected should look carefully at the potential implications for their land and businesses. 

The Association is already encouraging its members to attend National Grid’s information meetings - such as the one in Shropshire at West Felton Village Hall on Wednesday 15 August - and says that it will also be organising its own meetings in conjunction with Shrewsbury Agents Balfours.

CLA Midlands Rural Surveyor Andrew Shirley said: “Obviously such a large infrastructure project will have huge implication on our members’ landholding and could greatly affect their ability to carry on their business. The CLA remains at the forefront of discussions with National Grid to ensure that landowners’ rights are respected and the effects of connecting wind farms from Wales across Shropshire to the National Grid are kept to an absolute minimum.

“At least the uncertainly about the route is over, although there will be further consultation into the fine detail. People on the alternative route can now go about their business without the threat hanging over them, but others must make the effort to find out more. There will be a substantial impact on the countryside along the route and every farmer and landowner will need to assess the effect on their own business, both on the construction work and other losses associated with the pylons, including environmental and other surveys.

We will be having regular meeting with National Grid to ensure there is clear dialogue with landowners and farmers and looking at the proposals in detail to assess the economic impact on individual businesses. We will also be looking closely at the approach to undergrounding cables to minimise disruption to the economy and the environment. It is simply unacceptable if undergrounding was based purely on capital investment required, with no regard for the long term implications on the landscape and rural business.

“Finally, I have to question the timing of the announcement, which falls as farmers are busy harvesting and others are either on holiday or watching the Olympics. Surely it would have been better to make this public at the Royal Welsh Show, where many of those directly affected could have been told directly?”

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