A planned windfarm near Knighton could be joined to the electrical grid via 39kms of wooden poles carrying power lines passing near to eight settlements, two historic parks and two national trails.
The turbines would have a maximum height to blade tip of up to 126.5 metres and the site would also include electricity transformers, underground cabling, borrow pits, a public car park, access, control buildings and a substation compound and wind monitoring masts.
For the windfarm to be able to export the electricity it generates on to the grid system, there needs to be an electrical connection between the windfarm and the grid.
The final route will be determined following detailed surveys and legal agreements, but the indicative route leads about 39kms south from the substation in the middle of the windfarm site at Tre-foel, to follow the Teme Valley to just beyond Kington.
The connection would be via wooden poles about 12m high and spaced about 150 metres apart.
A landscape and visual assessment has considered data available from the Countryside Commission for Wales and concluded that there would be adverse effects on the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Evancoyd Historic Park and Garden, Glyndwr’s Way and Offa’s Dyke National Trails and eight settlements including Felindre, Beguildy, Llanfairwaterdine and Lloyney, Knucklas, Knighton, Whitton, Evenjobb and Kington.
But RES claim none of the effects are considered to be significant.
The poles would pass within 1km of Evencoyd Historic Park and Gardens, Hergest Croft in Kington and Eywood.
At a meeting of Knighton Town Council on Wednesday, councillors unanimously objected to the plans.
They said the route was unacceptable, claiming there were alternatives such as taking the power lines down the Lugg Valley or the lines could go underground, but they fear that has not been proposed because cost has been taken over the beauty of the area.
Councillors Derrick Price said the lines could go down the Lugg Valley without interrupting any towns or villages.
Councillor Ken Harris said: “We represent everyone who lives within the walls of Knighton and I would not want to approve anything without knowing what was going through Knighton, who it was going to affect and so on.”
He said if the lines did have to go through Knighton they should ask what compensation would be available.
Councillor Trevor Johnson added: “I would not want to sell the beauty of our town in return for the promise of money, I am not in favour of that.
“The simple answer is that the route they have chosen is the most detrimental route they could have found. If they went down the Lugg Valley they would not go through any settlements.”
Councillor David Andrews said: “The visual appeal of Knighton needs to be preserved. Tourism is one of our principle industries so any disfiguration of the landscape must be prevented.
“The part of these lines that would go within 1km of Knighton should be underground, but it will be more expensive. I am fearful that what has been proposed is the least cost option and we should not settle for that.”
am fearful that what has been proposed is the least cost option and we should not settle for that.”
