Councillors asked not to oppose power line bid
Councillors will be asked next week to withdraw their objections to a controversial overhead power line between Oswestry and Wrexham.
The proposal by SP Manweb to build 13 miles of pylons between the towns' substations was defeated three years ago after a mass cross-border campaign by protesters who feared the move would destroy the countryside and tourist trade.
But the power firm has now lodged revised plans and it has been revealed the new proposal will be decided at a three-week public inquiry, starting on November 13.
Oswestry town councillors last month repeated their opposition to the power line but Wrexham borough councillors will be asked on Monday to withdraw their objection as long as certain conditions are followed.
Wrexham planning officers said in a report to Monday's meeting the new power plan was now 'broadly acceptable'. It said local councillors have continued to object to the plan and have asked for the whole line to be buried underground.
Chirk Town Council is also continuing to object to the bid unless the line is buried underground.
But Wrexham planning chiefs said that as long as the line was buried underground as it passed through part of the Ceiriog Valley near Oswestry, the proposal would be acceptable and in line with policy and Government rules.
And they 'strongly advised' councillors in their report they had to be aware of Government policy because 'a claim for costs can be made by the applicants for unreasonable behaviour under normal rules applying to planning and other hearings'.
Councillors will discuss the planning officers' suggestions at their meeting at Wrexham Guildhall on Monday at 6.45pm.
