‘Sham’ Energy consultations ‘hiding the truth’

Campaigners calling for a public enquiry into multi-billion pound energy plans for Montgomeryshire have accused the companies behind the development of “hiding the truth”.

 

Scottish Power Energy Network and National Grid are currently touring Montgomeryshire towns and villages to display plans which campaigners say will cause irreversible damage to the area and the health of its residents.

 

There have been mass protest meetings already with more planned, and protest groups, backed by MP Glyn Davies and TV celebrity Sian Lloyd, are uniting their efforts to send one clear message to the energy giants that their plans are ‘not welcome here’.

 

And one lead campaigner has come out fighting this week by accusing the energy companies of misleading residents with their road shows and claims the true extent of the plans are buried away in the companies’ web sites.

 

“We have just found a compilation of photographs on the National Grid web site which were included in a presentation made to County Councils,” said Mr Richard Bonfield on behalf of the STOP and HALT campaign groups. “This document was added after the public consultations had begun which is typical. They are hiding the truth.”

 

In an email to the Energy giants’ bosses, he accused them of: “not telling the public the true story story of your proposals for Montgomeryshire and Shropshire and how they will affect our lives, future and landscape.  In many cases you have been unable to answer questions raised or misrepresented the truth”.

 

Mr Bonfield highlighted the fact that nine wind farms in planning applications or pre application did not appear in the Scottish Power consultation document as being provided with a supply to the hub. He claims this would require even more power cables and pylons criss-crossing the countryside than currently allowed for.

 

“The consultations are a sham with misinformation,” he added: “They are telling people that the windfarms have planning – this is not the case as the movement to scrap TAN 8 areas covering Montgomeryshire, is gaining tremendous momentum.”

 

Energy companies say the work – which includes a 19-acre substation to be located close to either Abermule or Cefn Coch – is essential to meet Britain’s commitment to use less oil, gas and coal in the future.

 

The links which have been highlighted by campaigners showing the true extent of the proposals are: