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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Gas pipeline vote to be retaken | Gas pipeline vote to be retaken |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| A vote which caused a further setback to the building of a controversial pipeline after being declared "unlawful" is to be retaken. | A vote which caused a further setback to the building of a controversial pipeline after being declared "unlawful" is to be retaken. |
| Construction of the natural gas pipeline from Milford Haven to Gloucestershire, had already been disrupted by environmental protests. | |
| The vote concerns a vital link of the pipeline in Cilfrew, near Neath. | The vote concerns a vital link of the pipeline in Cilfrew, near Neath. |
| Work at the site was delayed in March after a High Court judge ordered a planning decision be taken again. | Work at the site was delayed in March after a High Court judge ordered a planning decision be taken again. |
| Permission for the above-ground pumping station was narrowly granted in September when Neath Port Talbot Council's planning committee voted 13 to 12 in favour. | Permission for the above-ground pumping station was narrowly granted in September when Neath Port Talbot Council's planning committee voted 13 to 12 in favour. |
| But residents who believed the situation was unfair took the decision to London's High Court. | But residents who believed the situation was unfair took the decision to London's High Court. |
| A judge ruled that four councillors from the Ratepayers Party had been wrongly advised to abstain from the vote. | A judge ruled that four councillors from the Ratepayers Party had been wrongly advised to abstain from the vote. |
| The councillors had been told they should not take part because they had attended an earlier protest meeting against the plans. | The councillors had been told they should not take part because they had attended an earlier protest meeting against the plans. |
| As a result, they adopted a neutral stance and did not go on a site visit. | As a result, they adopted a neutral stance and did not go on a site visit. |
| Work suspended | Work suspended |
| Following the High Court decision, National Grid warned that the planning row could hit the capacity of the 190-mile (320km) pipeline. | Following the High Court decision, National Grid warned that the planning row could hit the capacity of the 190-mile (320km) pipeline. |
| It explained that work at Cilfrew had been suspended until planning permission was given and the pipe would not function at full capacity until this was complete. | It explained that work at Cilfrew had been suspended until planning permission was given and the pipe would not function at full capacity until this was complete. |
| However, the company added that phase one of the pipeline from Milford Haven to Aberdulais, was more than 95% complete, and phase two from Felindre to Gloucestershire was "well under way". | However, the company added that phase one of the pipeline from Milford Haven to Aberdulais, was more than 95% complete, and phase two from Felindre to Gloucestershire was "well under way". |
| Construction of the pipeline, which will eventually supply up to 20% of the UK's energy needs, has been interrupted by a series of incidents. | |
| Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) will be shipped to Milford from the Far East and converted to natural gas at two terminals at the port before being piped to join the National Grid's main network at Gloucestershire. | |
| In November, work in the Swansea Valley was stopped when protestors claimed inside the pipe during a demonstration. | In November, work in the Swansea Valley was stopped when protestors claimed inside the pipe during a demonstration. |
| Earlier this month, two people working on the pipeline near Ammanford were taken to hospital following an accident in which one was believed to have a broken leg and the other a foot injury. | Earlier this month, two people working on the pipeline near Ammanford were taken to hospital following an accident in which one was believed to have a broken leg and the other a foot injury. |
| At the time, a spokeswoman said the company was committed to the safety of its workforce and a "thorough" investigation was under way. | At the time, a spokeswoman said the company was committed to the safety of its workforce and a "thorough" investigation was under way. |