Archaeological exploration work began today as plans to remove overhead power lines at a beauty spot take a step forward.

National Grid is looking to remove 22 giant pylons in the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) near Winterbourne Abbas, Martinstown and Friar Waddon and bury them underground.

Planning permission for the scheme was approved by district councillors in June and the idea has been welcomed by parish councils and environmental groups, including the Dorset branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England.

National Grid has agreed the locations for approximately 150 trial trenches with specialists from Historic England and the Dorset County Archaeologist team.

The survey work will inform plans to replace 8.8km of overhead electricity transmission line and 22 pylons with underground cables, ahead of construction starting in 2019.

The work will continue throughout this month, as well as September and, potentially, October.

The trial trenching will be used to estimate the archaeological potential of the proposed construction areas by defining the extent of known features and identifying any previously unknown remains that could be impacted by construction works.

The surveys will help inform the construction programme for the project, which received approval from West Dorset District Council in June and is due to start in early 2019.

Ben Smith, National Grid VIP project manager (south), said: “Our work to mitigate the visual impact of our electricity transmission infrastructure is only the latest chapter for Dorset’s striking landscape, which has been shaped over centuries by its rich archaeological heritage.

“These important surveys will help us to further refine our detailed construction plans. Together with our contractors, we will work to ensure any disruption to local residents is minimised during the archaeological programme and as the project commences in earnest next year.”

The trenches are all being excavated on private land with the full permission of the landowners concerned. Once a trench has been investigated by the archaeologists – and if nothing of interest is found – it will be covered over and restored.

Should any significant finds be made, National Grid will work together with Historic England and local experts to manage them, and information will be shared with the public where appropriate.

National Grid has worked with local stakeholders to develop the VIP project, including representatives from the Dorset AONB Partnership, Dorset County Council, Natural England and Historic England.

Dorset is the first of National Grid’s four VIP schemes to receive planning consent, with proposals for projects in the New Forest, Peak District and Snowdonia National Parks expected to be submitted for planning consideration later this year and in early 2019.

Visit dorset.nationalgrid.co.uk/

Underground cabling concerns

Multi-million-pound plans to remove power lines and bury them underground in the West Dorset countryside have come under fire by the energy regulator.

Ofgem, which is currently consulting on National Grid’s proposal to spend around £118 million to place 8.25km of 400kV overhead lines underground in the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) has said that the cost of the project was too expensive.

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.

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.

Building these, and associated temporary roads, together with putting new lines underground, is expected to take a minimum of three years which will then be followed by the removal of the pylons and overhead lines.

National Grid has requested the funding from Ofgem for the whole project.

which was first announced more than a year ago.

In a statement, Ofgem said: “Ofgem allows electricity network companies to make the necessary investment to reduce the visual impact of existing power lines if it is in the interests of consumers.

“We think that the majority of the project costs are efficient. However, we consider that there are a few areas where costs are not justified by the evidence National Grid has provided.

“Therefore we are proposing a reduction of approximately £2.2m in the project costs as National Grid has not justified some of the expenditure.

“We intend to make a final decision on the Dorset AONB mitigation project and allowed expenditure later in the year.”

The application had been welcomed by parish councils and environmental groups, including the Dorset branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England before being approved by West Dorset District Council’s planning committee in June.

In response, a spokesman for the National Grid said that they would await the decision of Ofgem before making any further comment.

If the plans are approved, National Grid will aim to complete the work by April 2022.