Impacts of the proposals
The impact of these proposals will be felt in many different ways; from the destruction of the countryside and environment; to economic impact; to the loss of the beauty and heritage for future generations...
Local communities and their heritage
Local rural communities worldwide serve as the custodians of their natural spaces and the ecosystem benefits they offer. They should have a say in and, importantly, the power to veto how and whether their natural resources are utilised and exploited.
The proposed area is abundant in archaeological and historical sites, some of which are scheduled, some not, and some are yet to be discovered. The Welsh identity is inextricably linked to the land, and if we allow our land to be devastated, the music, songs, and myths of Wales will lose their meaning and vital connection with the land.
Since the proposals were announced, many individuals have been under significant stress. This stress will have negative effects on physical and mental health, and livelihoods.
Power lines and pylons can reduce the value of nearby homes by an average of £12,000, according to research from the London School of Economics (LSE) and a number of mortgage lenders have refused to offer mortgages on properties near pylons.
The local communities most affected by these proposed developments will endure severe negative impacts while Bute and Green GEN collect the profits.
Farming
The Sustainable Farming Scheme is being reviewed, and its implementation has been postponed until 2026. However, the uncertainty of what will follow still hangs over the farming industry. That uncertainty will be added to by the pylon project. Many small-scale family farms here are at risk due to the installation of power transmission lines, and related infrastructure.
The pylon line would rip the heart out of, and split up, local, well-established family farms. Hedges, fences and walls would be removed, and crushed rock brought in to surface the haul roads. Pylon bases and crane pads would see even more concrete poured into our landscape. The route would be fenced off for the two-year construction period. The land would be out of production for that time, and it is unlikely to fully recover from this. The viability of those farms is at risk.
In the event that the pylon route is agreed then undergrounding is the preferred option. Currently, this is not an option that Green GEN is prepared to look at although the Welsh Government and local campaigners are working hard to get undergrounding to be considered as the default option.
The Construction Phase
Green Gen and Bute Energy's negative impact will be far-reaching.
Concrete bases will be permanently embedded in the landscape. Additionally, roadways and crane pads will need to be constructed. These projects will adversely affect wildlife, water retention, and local hydrology. Some homes in the area depend on private water sources. It's crucial to consider the impact on local residents. Access to water is a basic necessity, not a privilege.
Environmental Concerns
photo from In Your Area
The Towy Valley is an area of scientific interest. The heritage of the valley is unique and there is currently a push to get the it designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB). Natural Resources Wales has said that the valley has a ‘national landscape character’ with unique features that makes the valley ‘both scenically and ecologically outstanding.’
Cadw states that the 90km long valley from the source of the Towy River in the south of the Cambrian Mountains through to the estuary mouth in Carmarthen Bay, has principal significance as a setting for a ‘unique group of planned parks and gardens, and its historic, artistic associations with the Picturesque.’
The Tywi is the longest river in Wales at 108km and flows from its source in the Cambrian Mountains to Carmarthen Bay. It is a valued natural habitat, supporting submerged plant communities such as water crowfoot, along with shingle grasses and plants such as yellow cresses and reed canary grass. The river and its shingle ridges are home to a wide range of invertebrate and bird species, along with important otter and fish populations. As such, it is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC)(NLCA41 Tywi Valley)
The proposed pylon line threatens this cherished landscape and there is a need to safeguard its integrity and to protect and preserve its cultural and historical, as well as ecological, significance.
Well-being of Future Generations and the climate and nature emergency
The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world with 1 in 6 species at risk of extinction. We face a biodiversity crisis. Delivering clean energy, reducing carbon emissions, and hitting net zero targets, are key in combatting climate change – which is a major factor driving the biodiversity crisis. Energy policies must reflect the intrinsic links between climate and biodiversity by making nature recovery a core principle of new energy growth. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that the impacts to biodiversity are properly avoided, minimised and mitigated in the drive to deliver clean energy.
The Welsh Government is proud of its 2015 legislation, the Well-being of Future Generations Act. Introducing pylons in a beautiful, non-industrialised area without the consent of local communities would directly contradict the legislation's stated aims and have destructive impacts on nature and ecosystem benefits.
Wales has a national responsibility to tackle the climate crisis and halt the decline in biodiversity. It needs to enhance the status of species and ecosystems by 2030 and ensure their full recovery by 2050. However, these proposals are counterproductive in achieving that goal.
Tourism and the local economy
Many people return time after time to enjoy this area for its warm hospitality, tranquility, abundant nature and beautiful environment. It is conveniently positioned to enjoy the coast, the mountains, and the countryside. There are many businesses that depend on tourism; holiday lets, B&Bs, activity centres, specialist food companies, restaurants and pubs. Walkers and cyclists are just some of the regular users of the area and all it has to offer.
The timeline for building these industrial infrastructure projects will be counted in years, disrupting everyday life, and threatening tourism's economic future. Who will want to spend their holidays in a construction area? Will it ever recover?
Not for Wales
This is not a project ‘for Wales’ and should not be presented as such. The Green GEN Cymru/Bute Energy literature justifying the pylon line from Nant Mithil to Llandyfaelog, suggests that this is a green project for Wales. However, the electricity generated would be fed into the UK National Grid, so it is not a case of the energy being produced in Wales for the benefit of Wales. Wales already generates approximately twice as much electricity as it consumes.
The Green GEN transmission line projects, Towy-Usk and three others, are only to provide connections for the ambitious and potentially extremely profitable energy park projects of its parent company Bute Energy. Taking commercial advantage of the government's Net Zero agenda, this is a 'greenrush’ that will industrialise the beautiful landscapes of rural Wales.
So, we say NO to the Green GEN Cymru/Bute Energy proposals and ask others to join us in our fight to stop our countryside from being blighted and irreversibly damaged.