“I refer to the above application and specifically to Section 5 (Ceint to the Afon Braint, previously referred to as Section E–Route Option 5C): Adopting any route other than the line of existing pylons would result in new transmission towers and cables running through currently unspoilt parts of Anglesey.

I have engaged in National Grid’s pre-application consultations and, like others, have requested that their route be placed underground or revert to the subsea option. I support the residents of Star and request that the Inspectorate’s attention is given to the following issues:-

1. Their current proposal to follow all Route Options, including Section 5 above ground. Its impact upon the landscape, local community and the important gateway to the Island overall will be grievous, such as:

• Section 5 Route Option would completely "box in" the community of Star and surrounding properties with pylons and electric cables
• unacceptable visual/environmental impact for generations to come
• concentration or "wirescape", routing new transmission towers and cables closer to residential properties and tourist destinations
• direct contravention with Holford Rules and NPS EN5
• towers/cables dominating houses, farms and other small scale settlements
• provisions made for others but no consideration given to Star
• views of Snowdonia completely blighted by the site of transmission towers and cables visible from every direction, North, South, East & West
• towers prominent/visible from many sensitive locations
• tourism and their first impressions of Anglesey
• area is famous for its views and how they would be adversely affected by the proposed infrastructure

2. There are far better alternatives that previous consultations have found are preferred to mitigate (1) above. The alternatives have not been properly considered by National Grid Plc. The most preferable being to follow the existing line, Route Option 5E, and the cables being installed underground, taking advantage of the new third bridge across the Menai Strait, recently confirmed by First Minister Carwyn Jones, such as:

• unnecessary cost of Central SEC, tunneling under AONBs, Menai Strait, tipping of spoil.
• existing infrastructure and visual constraints.
• viable route/SEC alternatives already identified by National Grid
• shortest/direct route, unconstrained
• new bridge capabilities, cost saving, end consumer, Ofgem
• Section 5 never part of original consultation, deviation from existing line, residents, stakeholders, consultation process/flawed, preferred route, feedback ignored

The Purple route option for the new bridge, confirmed by the First Minister Carwyn Jones, sits directly between National Grid’s Anglesey North & Gwynedd North SECs!
This is an opportunity to create a joint venture with the Welsh Assembly Government by saving money for the end consumer whilst reducing a severe visual/environmental impact a tunnel under the Menai Strait will have, as all three bridge options put forward are capable of carrying Wylfa’s cables. With construction due to start in 2021, some 3-4 years before Wylfa Newydd starts generating in 2025, why create an additional visual/environmental impact by having to find somewhere to tip thousands of tones of spoil from a tunnel that is no longer necessary?

This would effectively avoid making a similar mistake in the future as a third bridge connects Anglesey to the mainland mitigating another visual impact, as a result of National Grid's short sightedness, especially within Section 5. As individuals, residents and homeowners, we are merely custodians for future generations and feel that it is important to support the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act in Wales.
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