Local MP Alun Cairns has brought Western Power Distribution’s most senior executive in Wales to see for himself the controversial electricity sub-station erected in the picturesque village of Colwinston. The sub-station was built to serve the nearby Redrow development, also strongly opposed by Alun Cairns, and has attracted the ire of villagers who say it is ‘unsightly’ and has caused ‘potentially dangerous’ access difficulties to the local school.
The senior executive from Western Power Distribution explained to Mr Cairns that the sub-station was erected in its current location, on a grass verge adjacent to St David’s Primary School, at the urging of the local authority. He went on to discuss options to mitigate its impact on the village, both aesthetic and in terms of school safety, with the MP and with community representative Peter Graham-Wollard.
Alun Cairns is determined to work with the Community Council and meet with Redrow, whose development necessitated the sub-station, to secure an acceptable solution for the village.
He said, “I am glad Western Power Distribution agreed to meet with me and local residents in Colwinston to discuss the sub-station problem. They explained that the local authority was responsible for the siting of the station and suggested practical solutions.
“Redrow, whose development has caused this issue, must join with me and the Community Council and take some responsibility for facilitating a solution.
“Local people are rightly proud of Colwinston as one of Wales’ most attractive villages. It is a conservation area and, as such, residents often have to comply with onerous planning constraints on property improvements. They are understandably annoyed that an ugly metal green box has been unceremoniously put up in the village – especially as it comes as a result of a particularly objectionable Redrow development.
“There are also very real concerns about the safety of schoolchildren, whose route along the verge is impeded by the station. It has obstructed the proposed route of a footpath to the school, and with parents parking on either side of the road, it will force children to walk in the middle of the road.”