Get power of good advice on new electricity lines
Landowners and tenants along the preferred route of new 132,000-volt overhead power lines between Oswestry and Wem would be wise to seek professional advice if they are affected by the £18 million project, writes Shaun Jones.
Scottish Power Energy Networks has begun consultations about the electricity supply upgrade, which will undoubtedly bring benefits to businesses and homes in the Oswestry, Wem and Whitchurch areas. The company hopes to get the go ahead for the project by the autumn of 2020. Consultation events have recently taken place and there is a strong likelihood that this project will be approved. I would advise landowners and tenants along the preferred route to carefully consider the plans and decide whether they wish to comment during the consultation period which ends on September 9.
While SP Energy has considered a lot of information when devising the preferred route, it is inevitable that the company will not have all relevant information because the work carried out so far is desk-based. A number of practical issues have been raised by affected parties and presented at the events, where we were advised that SP Energy will shortly write to affected landowners with detailed plans showing pole locations on their land.
That is the obvious opportunity to agree adjustments which will minimise long-term inconvenience from poles. It was suggested these letters will be sent soon after September 9 with discussions on compensation principles to follow.
I am already representing some affected landowners and tenants in negotiations about accommodation works and shall be submitting compensation claims on their behalf in due course. I shall be meeting SP Energy to discuss compensation principles at the earliest possible opportunity and referring to a similar power line scheme in Mid Wales, in which Halls was involved
This is a major project for North Shropshire, which is likely to impact on many properties along the route and it's important that landowners and occupiers receive professional advice from an early stage to protect their interests.
Halls has many years' experience of infrastructure projects and compensation and I would encourage affected parties to give SP Energy their views at an early stage. Generally, fees are paid for by the electricity operator.
* Shaun Jones is a rural professional director at Halls, Shrewsbury
