Overhead power lines to to west of Dorchester will be removed and put underground as part of a three-year project. 

The decision to remove a total of 8.25km of 400kV overhead lines and put new cables underground was agreed at yesterday's West Dorset District Council planning committee.

The project, which is expected to take three years and four months, will see 22 giant pylons as well as the power lines removed from Winterbourne Abbas to Friar Waddon - including those at Bradford Peverell, Compton Valence, Martinstown, Portesham, Winterbourne Abbas and Winterbourne Steepleton.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Brian Haynes said: "I've lived with these pylons since being in my early 20s. I would personally like to see the back of them. I think it will be such a improvement for our area."

Daniel Chapman owns two farms along the route of the project and believed it would negatively affect his business.

He said: "Farmers will have to put up with all the construction and this restriction of access on our own land."

The work will start with the construction of two compounds at either end of the line – one to the north west of Winterbourne Abbas and the Southern Compound to the south of Corton Farm.

The case officer for the project explained that foliage would be planted around the compounds that would eventually hide them, making them less of an eye sore.

Cllr Robin Potter said: "It's fantastic to be able to rid of those pylons. I drive under them every weekend."

Cllr Stella Jones requested that the once the pylons were removed, they were not simply left lying on the ground and were removed as soon as possible.

This was added to the conditions of the project.