More surveys planned over windfarm link via power lines
Farmers and landowners in the path of the controversial Mid Wales Connection linking windfarms in Mid Wales to a power station in Shropshire are being notified of further surveys planned for 2015, writes Kathryn Lewis, of Davis Meade Property Consultants.
These surveys are mainly non-intrusive and will continue to monitor the findings from the 2014 ecological surveys.
Landowners and farmers will now be receiving letters from National Grid to request further access to their land. The access is needed primarily to continue to monitor ecology along the proposed route corridor. This will include bat surveys, including static detectors and bat transects surveys.
Affected farmers and landowners can request that certain protocols are followed as part of the survey such as getting the surveyors to sign in at the farmhouse prior to the survey taking place or insisting that they disinfect before coming on to the land.
National Grid's rights and powers to carry out these surveys are derived from schedule 4 of the Electricity Act which gives a rights of entry for surveying but this must be at a reasonable time – authorised in writing – with 14 days notice given.
It is best to keep detailed records of everything that happens, including keeping a diary of when surveys are carried out and the names of the surveyors.
You must also ensure that the person you allow on the land is legitimate so check that they have a letter of authority from National Grid and have proper identification.
Davis Meade has been helping clients with responses to the National Grid's consultation on the Mid Wales Connection. The 250-plus pieces of feedback received is now being considered.
Mid Wales Connection project manager Jeremy Lee has said that they will be using people's feedback to see if there are any refinements they can make to the proposals.
They will be looking in detail at what opportunities there may be to reduce the effects of the connection on properties, communities and the landscape.
With regard to the conjoined windfarm inquiry, he said that the planning work would continue while the inquiry outcome is awaited.
It is likely to be late 2015 before the proposals are agreed and National Grid is in a position to apply for consents for the connection.
