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Gas pipeline vote to be retaken Vote backs 'vital' gas pipe link
(about 13 hours later)
A vote which caused a further setback to the building of a controversial pipeline after being declared "unlawful" is to be retaken. Councillors have again backed plans for a vital link on a controversial gas pipeline spanning Wales after their original vote was declared "unlawful".
Construction of the natural gas pipeline from Milford Haven to Gloucestershire, had already been disrupted by environmental protests. Neath Port Talbot's planning committee has approved the installation of a pressure reduction station at Cilfrew.
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 they revisit the original planning decision.
Work at the site was delayed in March after a High Court judge ordered a planning decision be taken again. Some residents in the village opposed it, voicing fears of an accident or explosion and traffic concerns.
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 last 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 in March that four councillors 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. Following the High Court decision, National Grid warned that the planning row could delay the completion of the 190-mile (320km) pipeline.
As a result, they adopted a neutral stance and did not go on a site visit. It will run from Milford Haven to Gloucestershire and eventually supply up to 20% of the UK's gas needs.
Work suspended 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.
Following the High Court decision, National Grid warned that the planning row could hit the capacity of the 190-mile (320km) pipeline. 'Absolutely safe'
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. Tuesday's vote was more emphatic with 22 councillors backing the application and 14 voting against.
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". David Mercer of Transco, which is building the pipe, said after the meeting: "The plant is absolutely safe - as the meeting heard the Health an Safety Executive are entirely satisfied.
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. "I do understand their [residents'] concerns but we have already moved this installation further away from the village."
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. The project has experienced a number of set-backs including a protest last November where demonstrators climbed inside the pipe during construction in the Swansea Valley.
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.
At the time, a spokeswoman said the company was committed to the safety of its workforce and a "thorough" investigation was under way.