Shropshire MP Owen Paterson still against power lines scheme
North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson remains opposed to plans to build power lines through the region despite his recent promotion to Environment Secretary in David Cameron's reshuffle, he said today.
Mr Paterson believes National Grid's plans to build a 30-mile long power line from Cefn Coch, near Llanfair Caereinion, to Lower Frankton, near Oswestry, to connect windfarms to the national power supply are 'unsuitable'.
The power plan has prompted a storm of protest from campaigners across Shropshire and Mid Wales who fear the line will destroy the countryside and harm the region's tourism economy.
Mr Paterson, who attended a public meeting of 300 campaigners in Oswes-try last month, insisted today that his new role in Cabinet does not mean he has had to dilute his opposition to the proposals.
Impacts
He said: "In my view it's horses for courses, and windfarms are suitable in some appropriate places but not in others.
"It's not my role to decide on energy policy, but it's legitimate for me to look at this issue because my remit includes anything which impacts on the rural environment and economy.
"I feel there are places where windfarms are suitable, like some offshore sites, but they are definitely not suitable in the middle of Shropshire."
He added the campaign against the power line could be further boosted once the Department for Energy and Climate Change finishes a review of Government policy on renewable energy and energy subsidies.
Under the plans, the line would take energy from windfarms in Mid Wales to the national electricity network. But it is unclear whether the line will be carried overhead on pylons, or buried underground at a much higher cost.
National Grid has said it would announce next year which parts of the 400,000-volt line would be buried underground and which parts would be carried by pylons.
