Power company sparks public comment
The public is being urged to have its say on plans for a new electricity line running across north Shropshire.
Power company, SP Energy Networks is reminding residents that there is still time to comment on the proposals for an £18 million reinforcement project to develop a new wooden pole overhead line between Oswestry and Wem.
It says the new line will secure and strengthen the power supply in the Wem area.
The consultation on the proposals opened on in November and is due to close on February 2.
During December the company held five public information days across north Shropshire, when residents, landowners, members of the public and stakeholders were able to meet the project team to examine and discuss the plans.
The proposals are still available and interested parties can make comments by visiting the libraries in Wem, Oswestry, Ellesmere and Whitchurch, with copies also available at Shropshire Council’s Planning Department in Shrewsbury and Oswestry Town council.
Additionally, the consultation documents can be accessed with online feedback forms available at www.spenergynetworks.co.uk.
Mark Sobczak, 132kV General Manager at SP Energy Networks, said: “The consultation events were well attended, and we would like to thank all of the residents and landowners who came to speak to the project team. The comments from the events will be taken in to account, and there is still time for anyone with an interest in the project to provide feedback. Since 2016, we have received hundreds of comments on the proposals and we have carried out a wide variety of studies. All of this information will shape our plans and we want as many views as possible to be included.”
The north Shropshire Reinforcement Project will see a new wood-pole electricity line run from Oswestry substation, located at the A5/A495 roundabout, to Wem substation, located on Ellesmere Road on the western side of Wem. This line will provide capacity to support development on land allocated for new jobs and homes in Oswestry, Whitchurch and Wem. It will attract future business and housing investment across north Shropshire through to and beyond 2036. The new overhead line will also reinforce the existing network by increasing the capacity available.
The feedback received in the consultation will help SP Energy Networks to finalise their plans, ahead of submitting a formal planning application in Spring 2018.
