Holiday firm fearing pylons scheme impact
THE owners of a holiday retreat in the heart of the Towy Valley claim controversial plans to erect pylons just miles from their business could harm the appeal of the area for visitors.
The Hadley family have run Llanerchindda Farm Guest House and Self Catering Cottages near Cynghordy, for almost 20 years.
However, plans by Green GEN Cymru to place pylons along the Towy Valley will affect views from the guest house and cottages.
Green GEN Cymru is behind two schemes which could see pylons placed over swathes of west Wales countryside – one for its Towy Usk scheme, from the proposed Nant Mithil windfarm site in the Radnor Forest and a second Teifi Towy scheme which would link the Lan Fawr Energy Park proposed by Bute Energy, located east of Llanddewi Brefi and south-east of Tregaron.
Under revised plans for the Towy Usk scheme, part of that route will be placed underground at Llanarthne but Mark Hadley, who runs the holiday business with his brother Andrew and parents Martin and Lynn argues undergrounding should also be considered for electricity lines passing the Cynghordy Viaduct due to its historic importance and natural beauty of the valley.
He said: “If the project goes ahead in its current format up to eight pylons will be directly visible from our property. It is very likely that they will have a significant effect on my customer base many of which come back year after year to enjoy the beautiful countryside that surrounds us.”
Also of concern is the fact that Green GEN Cymru has not included the viaduct in its 3D modelling of the area.
The viaduct is one of the major landmarks of the Towy Valley and was recently awarded a blue plaque for its historical importance.
The Heart of Wales Line railway crosses the viaduct but the 3D modelling simply shows a bank where the rail line approaches the viaduct but then a slope down into the valley and no viaduct.
The Hadleys’ property sits high up and looks out directly on the viaduct, which would have pylons positioned approximately two miles up the valley from it.
Mr Hadley claims they would spoil the view for customers who stay at Llanerchindda. He said: “We consider the viaduct to be a unique selling point for us as a tourist destination and is something visitors always comment on when the arrive. Having a line of pylons just beyond the viaduct will ruin the picturesque view.
“At a recent consultation event, I was horrified to find out that the Green GEN project team seem to have missed the viaduct completely from their plans. I asked them to turn their 3D modelling software to show the view from my property and there is no viaduct to be seen with their plans, which is a major omission. Officers from Green GEN at that consultation in Cynghordy couldn’t explain why the viaduct had been left out of the plans.”
Further down the Towy Valley, near Llandeilo, people have also echoed the concerns raised by the Hadley family, when more than 150 packed a public meeting at Cwrt Henri recently over the Towy Usk scheme.
Those at the meeting said tourist hot-spots like Dryslwyn Castle, which have been unspoilt areas for hundreds of years, would have views of the new pylons.
The meeting was unanimous in agreeing that the lines must go underground, and letters urging that will be sent to Green GEN Cymru.
A spokesperson for Green GEN Cymru said that the company feels “on balance an overhead line is the best overall solution to make the required connections. We are consulting early on our proposals to get feedback to help us reduce effects on communities and the environment.”
Turning to the concern over the viaduct not being present on 3D modelling plans, they said: “Cynghordy Viaduct has featured prominently in the development of Green GEN Cymru’s proposal for the area. Several visits to the area have taken place by our landscape and visual team and the viaduct has featured in all our routing and siting work alongside all cultural heritage sites in the area. Green GEN Cymru acknowledge that the 3D rendering does not show the viaduct, but this model has not been used for developing the proposals.
“The 3D model was appreciated by those attending events to give them a visual representation of the proposals from their homes and other key locations.”
They added: “We would encourage everyone to respond to the consultation with their feedback as this will help shape how proposals develop. Following the close of consultation, all feedback will be reviewed and further assessment undertaken to help us shape the next iteration of our proposals.”