THE campaign group that has steadfastly opposed plans for pylons and wind farms across Mid Wales is calling on people to get involved in the latest consultations.

MAP (Montgomeryshire Against Pylons) says it is “ready to fight Welsh Government’s plan to cover Mid-Wales in Pylons and Wind Farms”.

The Welsh Government has launched a consultation on its 20-year vision for development in Wales – the National Development Framework.

It contains proposals for new priority areas for large-scale wind and solar energy development to replace Tan 8 (featured on the map, right).

A spokesperson for MAP said: “The Welsh Government’s first attempt in 2005 to cover 1,000 square miles of Mid Wales with pylons and wind farms may have been defeated but a second attempt to introduce Priority Areas for large-scale wind farms has just been rolled out in its draft National Development Framework.

“The greatly expanded area replaces TAN8, a document which caused the people of Montgomeryshire to march on Cardiff and reject proposals for five massive wind farms, a sub-station and gigantic pylons carrying 400,000 volt lines.

Under the Welsh Government’s new directive Powys County Council’s Local Development Plan which, following the will of the people, has set a limit to wind power, would be swept aside leaving Mid Wales open to development on a scale that MP Glyn Davies described as ‘almost impossible to comprehend’ when talking of the threat posed by TAN8 in 2011.

“But the threat posed by Tan 8 is modest in comparison to what is now proposed.”

Montgomeryshire Against Pylons is urging everyone to fill in the consultation form on the National Development Framework and go along to the drop in session at Newtown Library on September 17.

The spokesperson adds: “MAP campaigners are ready to fight this new proposal. More wind farms will devastate the landscape that draws tourists to our beautiful hills and valleys by necessitating the installation of a 30 mile 400kva pylon line through some of the lovely countryside in Wales.”

Government vision for Wales:

HOUSING and Local Government Minister Julie James has launched a consultation on the National Development Framework.

The ‘Framework’ sets a direction for where new homes, jobs and services will be located and it identifies areas for renewable energy generation. You can have your say online and at various drop-in sessions.

The Framework includes:

n Proposals for new priority areas for large-scale wind and solar energy development to replace Tan 8;

n A focus on growing existing urban areas and ensuring that homes, jobs and services are located in the same area;

n A focus on delivering more affordable homes at scale and pace

n Three clusters of towns and cities identified as nationally significant where large-scale housing and employment growth will be focused; Cardiff, Newport and the Valleys: Swansea Bay and Llanelli and Wrexham and Deeside;

n In other areas, development will meet local aspiration and need to complement the growing urban areas.

Julie James said: “We want to promote sustainable growth in Wales, focused around existing towns and cities. This strategy is sufficiently flexible to respond to the challenges of the next 20 years. We are ambitious to increase the amount of renewable energy generated here in Wales; the National Development Framework sets out where we believe large scale renewable energy projects should be located in Wales

“We know that Wales needs more good quality housing; to develop renewable energy and for people to be able to access well-paid jobs close to where they live.

“I am committed to building more council housing at pace and scale in Wales, and to see far more affordable homes to rent from councils and other social landlords. I want a planning system that consistently meets all our needs; and for our villages, towns and cities to be organised in a way that makes it easier to live healthy and active lives, for us and for future generations.

“I believe the policies set out in the National Development Framework will help to deliver this.”

The consultation on the draft National Development Framework is now online, and is open until Friday, November 1.

Have your say:

The Draft National Development Framework consultation documents are available on-line at https://gov.wales/draft-national-development-framework. The Welsh Government are holding drop-in sessions in libraries around the country in late September-early October Help and support

We will be holding drop-in sessions to enable you to come and talk to us about the National Development Framework. These sessions are demand-led and by-appointment so you will have to book your slot. They will be held in the main public libraries in the following 12 locations:

• Bangor 10 September: 2pm to 6.30pm

• Newport 11 September: 3pm to 5.30pm

• Newtown 17 September: 2pm to 7.30pm

• Carmarthen 18 September: 2pm to 6pm

• Merthyr Tydfil 25 September: 2pm to 6pm

• Aberystwyth 26 September: 2pm to 6pm

• Swansea 1 October: 3pm to 8pm

• Milford Haven 30 September: 10am to 2pm

• Wrexham 2 October: 1pm to 6pm

• Llandrindod Wells 3 October: 2pm to 6pm

• Colwyn Bay 10 October: 2pm to 5pm

• Cardiff 10 October: 1pm to 7pm

Get in touch for more information and to book your slot: ndf@gov.wales0300 025 3261 or 0300 025 1543