MORE than 400 people have already signed a petition protesting against plans for overground cables and pylons as part of Brechfa Wind Farm.

County Council Leader Cllr Kevin Madge recently launched the e-petition on the UK Government website as part of a national campaign against the plans by Western Power Distribution.

The move followed a Notice of Motion brought to Full Council by Cllr Peter Hughes Griffiths, which gained unanimous cross party support.

Cllr Madge is now urging everyone to back the campaign, and is also asking the Welsh Local Government Association, MPs, AMs and all 21 other Welsh local authorities to sign the petition.

The aim is to gather a minimum of 100,000 signatures which could see the issue debated in the House of Commons.

The petition states: “We the undersigned find it totally unacceptable that the proposed Brechfa Forest, Carmarthenshire, Wales, wind farm (s) National Grid connection should be made via an overhead line supported by wooden pylons.

“The environment of these, and other communities, should not be blighted by the visual impact of overhead cables. We ask the Energy Secretary to ensure that such connections are made underground in the UK.”

The online petition is on the UK Government website at http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/53592

Cllr Madge added: “I’m really pleased with the initial response to the petition and the support it already has. I have asked all Welsh AMs, MPs and councils to support us and lend their weight to this campaign.

“This is something all political parties in Carmarthenshire are united in opposing and I hope the rest of Wales will join us in our fight.”

Council Deputy Leader Pam Palmer added: “I would urge everyone to sign up. It is so important the whole community stands firm against overhead cables that would impact catastrophically on their environment.”