Power line will boost Shropshire businesses
An £18 million scheme to increase the electricity capacity across north Shropshire will benefit the area's existing 30,000 homes and businesses, the firm behind it has said.
Scottish Power Energy Networks said the power line will also provide additional capacity in the region to support business investment and new residential developments in the future.
It comes as consultation is taking place with people affected by the plans, which will see a new 132,000-volt overhead wooden pole power line built between Oswestry and Wem.
Paul Ferguson, spokesman for SP Energy Networks, said: "The proposed line will provide additional capacity to facilitate growth and development across north Shropshire, including both new homes and land identified for industrial development.
"We have reviewed Shropshire Council's development plans for north Shropshire through to and beyond 2026.
"It will also provide an increased level of resilience to the existing 30,000 homes and business across the area."
The proposal is to build a new line between Oswestry substation, located at the A5/A495 roundabout, and Wem substation, located on Ellesmere Road on the western side of Wem.
Mr Ferguson said: "Our initial consultation has been open since June 29. People have been sending us their comments and we've held four public consultation events over the last two weeks – in Whittington, Wem, Cockshutt and Hordley.
"We've had good engagement with communities who've given us their comments on the preferred line route as well as the options we're consulting on.
"This constructive feedback, in particular the reaction to our chosen wood pole design, will help us develop the project taking into account public opinions."
North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson, who has welcomed the proposal, has invited the firm to write to him so that he can try and help them get it completed sooner rather than later.
Mr Ferguson added: "Our outline plan follows the required statutory planning process, which means we'll develop detailed proposals taking into account the feedback received at this initial consultation, and consult on these next year.
"We expect to develop the final proposal and make our application in 2018."
