Farming coalition launches legal challenge against energy firm

More than 300 Welsh farmers and landowners have initiated High Court proceedings against Green GEN Cymru, accusing the energy firm of unlawfully forcing access onto their land during survey work for a proposed network of electricity pylons.

The judicial review, filed by New South Law on behalf of grass-roots coalition Justice for Wales, claims the company acted beyond its authority and “without regard for environmental protections or community wellbeing”.

The legal claim alleges that agents working for Green GEN acted in a “coercive” and careless manner by trying to force their way onto land.

See also: Kintore-Tealing pylon plan sparks Scottish political row

Named claimant and founder of Justice for Wales, Natalie Barstow, said: “We have been left no choice but to seek legal action through the High Court as a result of this campaign by Green GEN.

“We’ve had hundreds of reports from people feeling as if their homes are being invaded – many feel powerless, outnumbered, and fearful of being arrested or prosecuted.

“While we support green energy, Green GEN’s unreasonable behaviour should not be allowed to continue.”

Surveyor photographed by a wildlife camera © New South Law

Biosecurity risk

Landowners have reported agents entering farms in dirty clothes and ignoring biosecurity protocols, thereby risking the spread of livestock diseases such as bovine TB or sheep scab.

Many of the farms along the proposed route fall within areas classified by the Welsh government as having active bovine TB outbreaks, bringing “significant biosecurity requirements” that the claim says are not being met.

Mary Smith of New South Law said: “There is a serious risk of TB and other diseases spreading between farms due to Green GEN’s conduct, which could have devastating consequences for hundreds of families and their businesses.

“We are all used to working with companies that require land access – it’s part of rural life – but this situation is entirely different.

“The behaviour we’ve seen from Green GEN and its agents is like night and day in comparison.”

Pylon routes

The dispute centres on plans for three major pylon routes spanning over 200km of Welsh countryside, running through the counties of Powys, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire and extending beyond the Welsh border into Shropshire.

Local councillor and farmer Jonathan Wilkinson, who lives near Welshpool and is set to be directly affected by the proposed infrastructure, described the impact on his farm.

“From a practical point of view for farming, the land here is Grade 2, some of the best land in Wales, and is highly fertile.

“They would be taking out a significant portion of the land. It will have a significant impact on farming day-to-day,” he said.

“Plus, biosecurity is a real worry; there has been covert entry to land, and they haven’t taken into account biosecurity with the current risks of TB.”

A Green Gen Cymru spokesman said: “Green Gen Cymru will be responding as requested by the court to this application.

“We are reviewing the claim carefully with our legal advisors and will respond through the appropriate legal channels.

“We take our responsibilities to landowners, communities, and the environment very seriously. We will continue to work openly and respectfully with all stakeholders as this process moves forward.”