Nick Clegg urges caution over fracking in Shropshire

The Liberal Democrat leader made the case for preserving the Shropshire and Mid Wales countryside during a visit to the region.

He said that power lines and pylons intended to link windfarms in Mid Wales to the national electricity network in north Shropshire were "just not in keeping with the fabulous countryside".

And he said any attempts to begin "fracking" need to be taken with "real caution".

It comes ahead of a decision on plans to carry out coal-bed methane extraction at a site in Dudleston Heath, near Ellesmere, which has attracted huge opposition.

The Deputy Prime Minister was speaking on a visit to the Nag's Head pub in Garthmyl, Montgomeryshire, where he backed the views of Jane Dodds, the party's prospective parliamentary candidate for the area, about the countryside.

She has previously called for the 400kv power lines, which form part of the planned Mid Wales Connection project between Cefn Coch and Lower Frankton, to be buried.

Mr Clegg, who along with Mrs Dodds met with representatives of Cambrian Training Company to discuss apprenticeships and the Nag's Head's chef patron Bryn Evans and his apprentice, also tried his hand at cooking during his visit yesterday.

He said: "Jane has been very making her views very clear and I really admire her saying we have to get the balance right between keeping the lights on, keeping prices stable, but also do not destroy the countryside.

"Jane has been very forceful in saying about the importance she attaches to undergrounding of power lines and cables, which can be such an eyesore for local people, and do provide such a strong reaction, quite rightly."

On drilling underground for gas, he said: "I think we have to proceed with real caution. I do not think it is sensible as a country to place fanatic importance on any form of energy."

He added: "As a country we have to try and wean ourselves off imported fossil fuels but I do not share the Conservatives' view that some how we can turn ourselves into Texas.

"It can play a part but we must be very mindful of the environment which is why Ed Davey has been leading the charge to place the most stringent guidelines on any fracking applications in the developed world."

Mr Clegg also threw his weight behind Mrs Dodds's bid to win Montgomeryshire back for the Liberal Democrats at the 2015 General Election.

The county has a long tradition of Liberal support, having elected a Liberal candidate at every General Election apart from two – 1979 and 2010 – since 1880.

Lembit Opik lost the seat to the Conservatives' Glyn Davies in the 2010 General Election, in what was considered one of the shocks of the campaign.

Mr Opik had enjoyed a majority of 7,173 after winning the seat for the second time in 2005, but found himself losing out by 1,184 votes to his Tory opponent.

Despite the most recent YouGov poll showing the Lib Dems are nationally in fifth place behind the Green Party and Ukip, Mr Clegg says he is confident the party can regain the constituency.

Keen

He said: "I am dead keen to win it back and Jane is absolutely the right candidate. This has been a Liberal seat since 1880, people have very strong liberal instincts here and the Liberal Party has always served the community dutifully over the decades, and Jane is an outstanding candidate leading a very positive and energetic campaign.

"In Jane the people of Montgomeryshire would have an incredibly dedicated campaigner who knows the community and also knows she is part of the Liberal Democrat team dedicated to finishing the economic recovery."

Mrs Dodds said she was delighted Mr Clegg had come to offer his support.

She said: "I am extremely pleased to have him come here. It is really exciting and motivating for the campaign ahead, a real honour."