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Published:
December
13,
2009
Property
prices 'being hit by controversial Hinkley pylons scheme'
Controversial
proposals to build a 400,000 volt electricity line through the
Burnham-On-Sea area are already hitting property prices along
the planned route, it was claimed during a packed protest meeting
on Sunday evening (December 13th).
 "Why
would people want to buy a house here if they could be moving
underneath a long line of 150ft pylons," asked one villager
during the latest public meeting held at Mark Village Hall.
Another
resident, Brian Shepherd, demanded: "My home is the closest
in Mark to the proposed corridor of pylons - I want to know whether
there is any provision for compensation."
Burnham's
MP, David Heathcoat-Amory, told the meeting: "Some local
people are finding it difficult to sell their houses in the area
and it is possible that the plans are having an effect on values.
Compensation may be available on a case-by-case basis."
The
comments came as campaigners stepped up their fight, with fresh
proposals to bring well-known faces, such as TV presenter Carol
Vorderman and senior politicians, into the area to pile pressure
on National Grid to re-consider its plans for the 37-mile power
line running between Hinkley Point and Avonmouth.
 Two
potential 'route corridors' for the 46.5m tall pylons have been
identified, with one running through East Huntspill, Watchfield,
Mark and Bason Bridge, while the second route runs further to
the east.
David
Heathcoat-Amory told Sunday's meeting both routes are "very
objectionable" and he added that he is continuing to push
National Grid to investigate other options, including an undersea
route across the Bristol Channel.
Peter
Gregory of Mark Parish Council re-emphasized that his council
wants neither route to go forward, adding that both would adversely
impact the village.
Local
resident Andrew Mark asked why, if the proposed Hinkley Point
power station has not yet been approved by planners, the new nuclear
plant couldn't be built nearer to the Avonmouth sub-station instead.
Lib
Dem parliamentary candidate Tessa Munt again raised the issue
of whether the pylons should be built along the "already
blighted M5 corridor where just 36 homes would be affected between
the M5 Bridgwater junction and the Loxford Gap."
 She
also raised the issue of whether the pylons would impact local
tourism and also said the pylons jeopardize the area's bid to
become a World Heritage site.
Local
resident Maggie Gregory said the consultation process run by National
Grid had been "flawed", and she described the company's
public exhibition held in Mark as a "whitewash."
First
stage public consultation by National Grid will end on January
4th. Residents have until then to submit their comments.
Andrew
Scott, Chairman of the 'No Moor Pylons' action group, told Burnham-On-Sea.com:
"If we are to defeat these proposals we need a unified approach
from the community. All members of each household need to write
to National Grid, making their views known."
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