An end to the monstrous pylons in sight?

There is growing confidence that the monstrous power projects planned for our hills and landscapes may not impact our glorious countryside as much as we feared.

Plans to plonk more windfarms on Montgomeryshire hillsides face strong opposition locally, but the announcement of the Welsh Government’s “undergrounding-first policy” for new electricity lines has brought some hope.

The plans are up for public consultation and one local Member of the Senedd has urged local residents to make their opinions known.

Plaid Cymru’s Senedd Member for Gwynedd Maldwyn, Elwyn Vaughan MS, said that he welcomes the consultation on the policy, describing it as an important opportunity to protect Wales’s landscapes and address concerns about the impact of pylons on rural communities.

The consultation seeks views on proposals to make undergrounding the preferred approach for new electricity lines operating at 11–132kV, with the aim of reducing the visual impact of electricity infrastructure on the Welsh countryside and its communities.

Mr Vaughan said: “I welcome this consultation as an important opportunity to protect our countryside from the impact of large-scale electricity infrastructure.

“There is considerable concern in Montgomeryshire and across Mid Wales about proposed pylon routes that could have a detrimental impact on tourism, agriculture and local communities. These include the proposed Vyrnwy–Frankton connection, which could see large pylons crossing the countryside, including the Meifod Valley. 

“I have previously advocated undergrounding as an alternative to overhead power lines, and I hope this consultation will help ensure that undergrounding is given genuine priority in future decisions.

“I encourage residents, community groups and everyone concerned about the impact of electricity infrastructure to respond to the consultation and make their views heard.”

The Welsh Government’s proposals seek to establish undergrounding as the default approach for new electricity lines within the policy’s scope, helping to balance the need for a stronger electricity network with the protection of Wales’s landscapes and communities.

The consultation is open to residents, community groups and other interested parties, who are encouraged to review the proposals and submit their views to the Welsh Government