Green GEN Cymru have launched a new wave of “notices to survey” to landowners despite being challenged in the High Court. In an e-mail sent to the Countryside Alliance on Thursday 26 March, Green GEN set out their intention to carry out surveys throughout the year, relating to both the Towy Usk and Towy Teifi lines. The e-mail also notes route changes which will now affect more landowners as changes inevitably involve different parcels of land. 

In a landmark move, hundreds of landowners are challenging Green GEN Cymru though the High Court in relation to their behaviour whilst previously attempting to access land to conduct surveys. The legal claim, submitted by specialist firm New South Law, alleges that Green GEN and its land agents have behaved “coercively and unlawfully” in their attempts to access properties to conduct surveys for three major overhead pylon routes, covering more than 200km across Powys, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire. The hearing has been granted and is due to take place over two days, the 22 and 23 April 2026.

Despite the High Court hearing being imminent, Green GEN have decided to continue to put landowners under pressure by notifying them of their intention to survey, although do not give a specific time or indeed season as to when this may be, leaving landowners once again in the dark as to when someone may want to access their property. This is undoubtedly having an effect on landowners who are once again left feeling un-informed and anxious.

The e-mail sent to the Alliance said:

We are getting in touch regarding updates to the proposed Green GEN Towy Teifi and Towy Usk 132kV connection projects that are in development.

Since the last rounds of public consultation on both projects and following a rigorous change control process our studies have resulted in changes to the route on both Towy Usk and Towy Teifi. We continue to work with specialist consultants to assess the most viable route of the connections.

As of today, we have contacted all landowners who have been affected by these changes, including newly introduced landowners and those potentially no longer included in the route. Green GEN is intending to carry out surveys throughout the year, and we shall be in touch with the appropriate landowners where surveys are required.

Further studies and assessments are required to fully assess the proposed changes, we will therefore be holding a public consultation later this year, once those studies and assessments are further advanced. Through the consultation we will be sharing more detailed information on all route updates and will provide the opportunity to meet the project team through public events and for local communities, landowners, and wider stakeholders to have their say on the proposed changes to inform our ongoing route development.

Please note that following completion of further assessment and consultation the route may be subject to alterations. We will continue to keep you updated should any further changes be made.

Rachel Evans, Director for Wales, said:

“It is quite extraordinary that Green GEN once again decide to pursue landowners at one of, if not the busiest times of the year when farmers are lambing and calving. This really does demonstrate how disconnected Green GEN Cymru are with the countryside and the landowners they desperately need to work with. Equally concerning is their determination to survey during ground nesting bird season and I would suggest that they must demonstrate how their surveying will not in any way impact negatively on the wild bird population, least of all the Curlew which is in serious decline in Wales.”

Further information regarding the proposed changes can be found on the Green GEN website here:

Towy Usk: Towy Usk - Green GEN Cymru
Towy Teifi: Towy Teifi - Green GEN Cymru