2 January 2007
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, today reacted to news that the National Grid will be submitting an environmental statement to the Department of Trade & Industry, with the intention to lay a 34 mile underground pipeline through the Cotswolds. The intended pipeline will run from Honeybourne to Wormington and on to Sapperton; cutting directly through the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. (Map of the Area above).
In his letter to Steve Holliday, National Grid’s Group Chief Executive, Mr Clifton-Brown writes: “I would be grateful for your rationale as to why this pipeline is necessary and if you have investigated any alternatives.”
Mr Clifton-Brown said:
“I recognise the need for transnational strategic pipelines, but they are major engineering operations. It is encumbent on National Grid to explain the need for this particular pipeline. More importantly what environmental impact it will have on the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.”
He added:“I am deeply opposed to bulldozing large parts of the Cotswolds, and have grave concerns regarding the “compulsory purchase” of Cotswolds farmland. What if farmers do not wish to sell? I have today tabled a Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Trade & Industry, Alasdair Darling MP, asking him to clarify my worries, asking him when there will be public consultation on this proposal; when he intends to consult the local authorities and other interested parties, how deep this pipeline will be, and what alternatives there are. I have grave misgivings about any project which disrupts homes, livelihoods and the unique environment of the Cotswolds, before exhausting every other alternative.”
“No matter what the response, I will be following National Grid’s application with the Department of Trade & Industry closely; to ensure that it receives the attention it deserves; both in terms of energy supply and environmental concerns."
In his letter to Steve Holliday, National Grid’s Group Chief Executive, Mr Clifton-Brown writes: “I would be grateful for your rationale as to why this pipeline is necessary and if you have investigated any alternatives.”
Mr Clifton-Brown said:
“I recognise the need for transnational strategic pipelines, but they are major engineering operations. It is encumbent on National Grid to explain the need for this particular pipeline. More importantly what environmental impact it will have on the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.”
He added:“I am deeply opposed to bulldozing large parts of the Cotswolds, and have grave concerns regarding the “compulsory purchase” of Cotswolds farmland. What if farmers do not wish to sell? I have today tabled a Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Trade & Industry, Alasdair Darling MP, asking him to clarify my worries, asking him when there will be public consultation on this proposal; when he intends to consult the local authorities and other interested parties, how deep this pipeline will be, and what alternatives there are. I have grave misgivings about any project which disrupts homes, livelihoods and the unique environment of the Cotswolds, before exhausting every other alternative.”
“No matter what the response, I will be following National Grid’s application with the Department of Trade & Industry closely; to ensure that it receives the attention it deserves; both in terms of energy supply and environmental concerns."
