Fears power line will decimate Shropshire and Mid Wales countryside
Campaigners say a proposed power line through Shropshire and Mid Wales would ruin the "beautiful scenery" for good.
A final drop-in session of the public consultation by National Grid into plans for a 33-mile power line stretching from windfarms across the border in Powys to the national connection in Shropshire was held at The Navigation Inn, Maesbury Marsh.
Residents at the consultation event on Saturday said the prospect of the power line, being carried by overhead pylons, would spoil the village's beautiful views and rural nature forever.
Mark Baggett, co-owner of The Navigation, which changed its name for a day earlier this year to The Pylon Inn as part of the fight, said residents of Maesbury Marsh felt passionate about the proposals.
He said: "I will give National Grid credit in that they offered to come and hold an event in the village after the initial consultation events missed us out. We were more than happy to host it with them and a number of people called in to have their say.
"People are very passionate about the plans and I think the representatives from National Grid would have picked up those feelings."
Retired Edmund Potter, who lives in the village, said: "It's a dreadful thought that this beautiful area could be ruined by pylons. Not only will it ruin some of the best countryside in Shropshire but it will also ruin the value of our homes."
National Grid wants to put about a quarter of the 33-mile line underground through the Meifod Valley, near Welshpool.
Campaigners say they are concerned the line, 25 miles of which are likely to be carried overhead on pylons, will decimate the tourism industry and damage the countryside. The line will take energy generated by proposed Mid Wales windfarms from Cefn Coch, near Llanfair Caereinion, to a national network substation at Lower Frankton, near Oswestry.
Jeremy Lee, Mid Wales Connection project manager, said: "We'd like to thank everyone who has taken part in this consultation so far and urge all residents to look at our proposals and give us their views."
To have your say visit www.national grid.com/midwalesconnection by Friday.
