Commenting on the initial proposals, NFU Cymru County Adviser, Stella Owen said: “NFU Cymru’s priority is to ensure that major infrastructure projects do not damage agricultural land or negatively affect farming businesses and there should not be an automatic presumption that agricultural land can be sacrificed for infrastructure projects of this type.

Impacts

“The beauty and landscape quality, coupled with the historic and amenity value of the area is hugely significant and this in our opinion is threatened by the proposed connection project. The project could also impact on diversified and tourism related businesses.

“We are disappointed there is no reference to the opportunities for undergrounding for this proposed project. Neither in our opinion, is it adequately explained as to the necessity for a connection of this size.

Underground alternative

“It is for these reasons that if the connection project is to proceed the only acceptable solution, in NFU Cymru’s view, is for it to be laid underground.”

NFU Cymru reminds those farmers who may have been approached for access to land for surveying purposes, to seek professional assistance in the first instance from a local land agent.

The NFU Cymru Rural Surveyor Panel Firm is Rees Richards who are contactable on 01267 612021.