Big boost for anti-pylon campaigners

Campaigners fighting proposals that could see wind turbines and pylons built in Mid Wales and Shropshire were today celebrating a major boost.

Thousands of protestors flocked to a meeting of Powys County Council in Welshpool yesterday, as councillors voted massively in favour of calling for an "urgent" review of the Welsh Assembly's wind energy policy, known as TAN 8.

More than 2,000 banner-waving people gathered outside the town's livestock market and watched on a big screen as councillors called for the review.

Members also agreed to request a halt on all windfarm applications until the review can be completed.

The motion was in response to plans by the National Grid and Scottish Power which would see a substation built in either Cefn Coch, near Llanfair Caereinion or Abermule, near Newtown. It could also see pylons or underground power lines installed across Shropshire and Powys to carry electricity to the grid.

Sixty of the 73 county councillors voted in favour of the motion. Twelve were absent.

Only Councillor Beryl Vaughan, of Llangadfan, abstained, to boos from the crowd. The authority will now call on the Welsh Assembly to review TAN 8.

Council chairman Barry Thomas said it had been an important day for the people of Montgomeryshire. Councillor Ann Holloway, of Wel-shpool, said it was "imper- ative" a review took place.

She added: "This is what I consider to be the rape of Montgomeryshire and sincerely hope that the Welsh Assembly and Central Government listen to the voices of the people."

Councillor David Jones, from Guilsfield, said the TAN 8 document drawn up six years ago was flawed.

l Backed – See Page 5