James Evans MS is bitterly disappointed that the Welsh Labour Government voted against Plaid Cymru’s debate to update Planning Policy Wales in the Senedd yesterday. This debate discussed the need to update Planning Policy Wales paragraph 5.7.9 to remove the existing caveat so that the undergrounding of new infrastructure for conveying electricity shall be an absolute rather than a preferred preference.
The Welsh Conservatives supported Plaid’s motion and tabled their own motion to ensure any new undergrounding of electricity cables close to dwellings to require health impact assessments due to the serious health impacts associated of living close to them – which also narrowly failed to pass.
The motion narrowly failed to pass coming down to a deciding vote by the Deputy Llywydd.
James has consistently called for distribution cables to be underground to minimise the impact on the landscape. This has particular relevance for Brecon & Radnorshire with Bute Energy’s plans for Wind Parks at Nant Mithel, Aberedw and Bryn Gilwern and the associated 60 mile pylon route to export the power out.
Speaking after the debate, James Evans MS said:
“I am disappointed that the motion tabled by Plaid Cymru and Welsh Conservatives was not supported by the Welsh Labour Government.
“I believe it is wrong that developers are allowed to ignore PPW’s preference for underground transmission lines ‘where possible’ on the grounds of cost viability. I believe that large scale projects such as the ones in my constituency should not be started if they cannot afford to underground the lines.
“I will carry on doing all I can to ensure that, IF the proposals for Energy Parks and the associated 60-mile transmission line in Mid Wales are approved by Welsh Government Ministers, the electricity lines must go underground. Many constituents have raised serious concerns about the visual impact of pylons, the hit it will have on our tourism sector and most importantly the health concerns with having pylons located so close to houses/communities. I will continue to push for health impact assessments to be conducted.”
