Landowners in line for power route cash

Landowners across Shropshire and Mid Wales could be in line for compensation when the final route of proposed electricity pylons is revealed this month.

National Grid will reveal the route for power lines linking planned windfarms to a new 19-acre hub at either Abermule, near Newtown, or Cefn Coch, near Llanfair Caereinion.

Under the proposals, a 400,000-volt power line carried by 50-metre high pylons will link the hub to the National Grid in Shropshire.

This will be via a sub-station at either Lower Frankton, Wigmarsh or Walford Heath.

Shaun Jones, a rural professional services director at Halls in Shrewsbury, urged landowners to pay close att- ention to the chosen route.

He said people whose land is affected should seek professional advice immediately to ensure their interests are protected. He said: "Land- owners will be approached by National Grid and asked to take an option agreement, which will be activated if planning consent is given for the scheme.

"National Grid will wish to agree compensation principles at an early stage."

Mr Jones said incentive payments are offered for swift co-operation, but the important thing was to remember the effect of the scheme on land or property, which could lose value as a result and therefore be open to compensation.

"This is available to landowners or occupiers who will have pylons on their land," he added.

"I suspect that a small section of the cabling will be underground in sensitive areas, but it's a balancing exercise for landowners because this work will cause a lot more physical disturbance. Smaller and less intrusive pylons are being considered. My advice to landowners is seek professional advice at an early stage."

Thousands of campaigners have objected to the plans, as has Shropshire Council.

The council has told National Grid that if it insists on running cables through Shropshire, they must be underground.

The final plans will be decided before National Grid puts in a planning application, expected in 2013.

If approved, National Grid hopes to start work in 2014.