Pylon plan in Powys meeting moved for safety reasons

Pylons, some measuring 154ft (47m), are planned to carry electricity to the transmission network

Around 200 people protested outside a meeting between Powys councillors and the National Grid over plans for a controversial electricity substation.

Local people have reacted angrily to the 19-acre (7.6ha) site in Cefn Coch, which would require around 100 pylons to link it to Shropshire.

Police asked for a change of venue from Welshpool Town Hall after protesters said they would attend.

Opponents claim a pylon corridor will "destroy countryside".

Speaking before the meeting, a Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: "Due to the number of people expected to attend, the current refurbishment work at Welshpool Town Hall, and the associated public safety concerns we advised that the venue for the meeting be changed."

The meeting between councillors and the National Grid was held at Powys council's Neuadd Maldwyn offices.

"Police have advised that the National Grid meeting is moved on public safety grounds," council leader councillor David Jones said before the meeting.

"The county council has agreed. There will be very limited parking available and those attending are being advised to use pay and display parking in the town."

'Travesty'

Pylons, some measuring 154ft (47m), are expected to carry a 400,000 volt (400 KV) cable from the substation to the national transmission network in Shropshire.

Meanwhile, feeder lines are planned to transfer power from proposed wind farms to the substation.

Montgomeryshire Against Pylons (Map) called the National Grid's decision a "travesty" and held a meeting for residents in Cefn Coch, near Llanfair Caereinion, after Tuesday's announcement.

It said massive pylons would "destroy countryside" through Llansanffraid near Welshpool to Frankton near Ellesmere, Shropshire.