THERE was standing room only in Pencader Pavilion on Monday night as local residents packed into a public meeting hosted by Carmarthenshire politicians Jonathan Edwards MP and Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM to discuss proposals for wooden pylons to carry electricity generated by the wind farms in the Brechfa forest area.

Over 100 people attended the meeting and voted unanimously in favour of electricity cables being installed underground instead of the 20 metre-high wooden pylons proposed by Western Power Distribution (WPD).

Member of Parliament Jonathan Edwards, who outlined the consultation proposals to the crowded hall, said that the response from the meeting echoed the sentiments of the first public meeting in that local residents reject more electricity cables being installed overhead.

His constituency colleague, Assembly Member Rhodri Glyn Thomas who chaired the meeting, said the onus was now on the wind farm developers and Western Power Distribution to listen to the views of the community.

Speaking from a crowded hall in Pencader Pavilion, Jonathan Edwards MP said:

“The response to the two public meetings Rhodri Glyn and I have arranged has been overwhelming. Both public meetings have been full with local residents wanting their voice heard.

“I have said since as far back as the wind turbine applications were made that further plans for associated infrastructure - such as pylons and electricity cables - should have been determined together. The communities that have these wind turbines on their doorstep will quite rightly feel duped into not being presented with the true impact of the developments.

“Tonight’s meeting reflects the same sense of feeling from our first public meeting held in Pontargothi last month; that local residents completely reject more electricity cables being installed overhead.

“Earlier this year I held a Parliamentary debate in the House of Commons to discuss the Brechfa Forest West planning application in which I put my constituents’ concerns directly to the Minister. I fully intend to do the same thing when Parliament returns from recess in terms of the proposed energy transmission project. Central to my argument will be that these decisions should be made in Wales not in London.”

Assembly Member Rhodri Glyn Thomas added:

“I am in no doubt that the communities I represent reject the proposals for more electricity cables and wooden pylons throughout the county.

“We’re very pleased to have held these meetings and given our constituents an opportunity to share their views with us. Their opinions will shape the work both Jonathan I do over the coming weeks and months.

“Whilst Jonathan and I will now ensure our constituents’ views are fed into the consultation process, the onus falls on the wind farm developers and Western Power Distribution to demonstrate that they are listening to the view of the community and willing to act on their concerns.”