National Grid has applied to the Planning Inspectorate for a development consent order for a new transmission link for the proposed Wylfa Newydd nuclear plant on the Isle of Anglesey.
The power line will run alongside the existing connection for the Wylfa nuclear power station that closed in 2015.
National Grid has made multiple changes to the plans based on feedback from stakeholders. They include:
- Selecting a route that passes through the centre of Anglesey and avoiding options nearer the coast.
- Locating the cable close to the existing power line to minimise their combined impact.
- Building a tunnel under the Menai Strait, which separates Anglesey from mainland Britain, to protect the local landscape.
- Avoiding towns such as Menai Bridge, Llanfairpwll and Y Felinheli on the approach to the tunnel.
Senior project manager Gareth Williams, said: “The connection will transport low carbon power to homes and businesses across Wales and the rest of the UK. Our application is an important step in unlocking many millions of pounds of local investment and around 9,000 construction jobs that the power station will create.
“We’ve listened to what people have told us and made hundreds of changes – big and small – as we’ve developed our plans. The feedback we’ve received during our consultations, and through our conversations with landowners, has made a real difference to the final design.”
“We recognise that we have not been able to do everything we have been asked,” he added. “But we believe our proposals offer the best balance of everything we must consider and mean there are no long-term effects for most areas of Anglesey and north Gwynedd.”
The Planning Inspectorate has 28 days from the date of the submission (7 October) to decide whether to accept National Grid’s application for examination.