NDM8605 Plaid Cymru Debate - Planning policy for new power lines

NDM8605 Heledd Fychan (South Wales Central)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Recognises the preferred position of the Welsh Government that new power lines should be placed underground where possible.

2. Believes that wherever physically possible the undergrounding of new power lines shall be undertaken by way of cable ploughing in preference to open trenching.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to update Planning Policy Wales paragraph 5.7.9:

a) to remove the existing caveat: ‘however it is recognised that a balanced view must be taken against costs which would render otherwise acceptable projects unviable’; and

b) so that the undergrounding of new infrastructure for conveying electricity shall be an absolute rather than a preferred position, the policy should state: ‘New power lines should be laid underground.’

Planning Policy Wales

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Delete all after point 1 and replace with:

2. Believes that wherever physically possible the undergrounding of new power lines shall be undertaken in ways which reduce adverse environmental impacts.

Amendment 2 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls on the Welsh Government to ensure that, in accordance with the precautionary principle,  proposals for the undergrounding of new power lines should require health impact assessments when their proximity to dwellings raises serious future health concerns.