DORSET is set to benefit from part of a £500m fund available to reduce the visual impact of power lines in protected landscapes.

In a study published today, overhead lines in parts of the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) have been found to have a ‘significant visual impact’.

Sections near the Osmington White Horse, and near Martinstown and Askerswell could now benefit from part of the funds made available by Ofgem and a range of engineering methods could be used to try to reduce the impact.

This could include the replacement of existing overhead lines with underground cables, the re-routeing of existing lines, through to the screening of substations or overhead lines from public viewpoints.

George Mayhew, National Grid representative on the project Stakeholder Advisory Group, said: “National Grid’s electricity network is vital to our way of life, but this project will help reduce its impact on some of our most treasured landscapes. At the heart of the project is collaboration between National Grid, those organisations tasked with protecting Britain’s treasured areas and the people who live in and visit these landscapes.”

Andy Foot, Chair of the Dorset AONB Partnership, said: “We are delighted that the high value of the Dorset AONB’s landscape has been recognised in this study, and this leads to a fantastic opportunity to further enhance the beauty of this very special place.  The Dorset AONB team is looking forward to working with National Grid and local stakeholders on this project to reduce the impact of those three sections of line.”

A Stakeholder Advisory Group comprising organisations including the Campaign for National Parks, Campaign to Protect Rural England, Campaign to Protect Rural Wales, English Heritage, Cadw, Natural England and the National Trust, is helping National Grid to identify which transmission lines should be prioritised and how the fund should be allocated. 

Decisions about the transmission lines in Dorset and other shortlisted sites will be made in Spring 2015 following engagement with local stakeholders and further investigation of technical feasibility, economic, social, archaeological, environmental and heritage issues.

 

The protected landscapes found to have existing power lines with the most significant visual impact in the UK are:

Dorset AONB

Brecon Beacons National Park

High Weald AONB

North Wessex Downs AONB

Peak District National Park

Snowdonia National Park

Tamar Valley AONB