The Montgomeryshire Assembly Member, Russell George, has raised the behaviour of the National Grid and the potential damage to the Mid Wales countryside in a debate in the National Assembly for Wales this week (Wednesday 11th March).
The AM had been selected following a ballot to bring forward a debate in the Senedd.
Mr George introduced his debate to highlight the potential impact of the Mid Wales Connection Project on his Montgomeryshire constituency.
AM Russell George said:
“I was delighted to have been selected to introduce a short debate in the National Assembly this week on an issue which has the potential to devastate the beautiful Mid Wales landscape.
“It was particularly timely given the fact that the Department for Energy and Climate Change has also announced that a decision on the Mid Wales Wind Farm Inquiry will be postponed until the beginning of the next Parliament, a decision I very much welcome, as it is absolutely crucial that a decision is not rushed and is made after careful consideration.”
During the debate Mr George said:
“2,000 people descending on the Assembly nearly four years ago, just weeks after I was elected, coming down on over 35 coaches, an eight-hour round trip — that just shows the strength of feeling from my constituents. Over the past five years, I’ve attended many community meetings, large-scale demonstrations, all about this issue, an issue which has galvanised residents and communities across Montgomeryshire like no other in Mid Wales’ history.
“I was delighted when the First Minister announced, just a few weeks after that protest, that National Grid’s line would not be needed to fulfil Welsh Government policies. That was excellent news, but unfortunately he seems to have rolled back from that position.
“Powys does not have the road infrastructure to support the development of the proposed wind farms and the project would be negative for tourism, property prices, and the visual amenity of the area.
“Furthermore, National Grid’s behaviour in its public engagement has been appalling, and there is no wonder that members of the public have lost confidence in National Grid’s so-called consultations.”
The AM also highlighted a survey he conducted last year to seek residents’ views about wind energy and the proposed Mid Wales Connection project. The results of the survey showed conclusively that while nine in 10 people in Montgomeryshire are supportive of renewable energy, there was a deep-seated suspicion about the Mid Wales Connection project and the scale of development proposed.
Mr George also paid tribute to his colleague Glyn Davies MP and called on the Welsh Minister responsible for responding to the debate, Edwina Hart AM, to join him and use the Welsh Government’s clout to push for an immediate suspension of National Grid’s project.
Mr George finished by saying:
“The consultation process has been an absolute sham, with National Grid showing little appetite to meaningfully listen to the views of local people. The proposed plans will have a hugely detrimental effect on the local economy.
“I will continue to fully oppose the Mid Wales Connection project and will do all I can to persuade the next Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change to reject the applications.
“The Minister for Economy, Science and Transport, Edwina Hart AM concluded by saying that the Welsh Government’s views remained that connections should be underground where practicable, but would not comment on Mr George’s request that the Welsh Government should support calls for the projected to be halted.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
For a full transcript of Russell George’s short debate on the Activities of National Grid and the Mid Wales Connection Project, please click here