Overhead Power Lines
12.52 Calderdale is crossed by an extensive network of overhead electricity power lines, some of which, by reason of their scale and prominence, constitute alien features in the landscape, especially in the open uplands. Overhead lines can be detrimental to visual and also to residential amenity, and can, in certain circumstances, generate noise.
12.53 National Grid Transco transmits electricity around England and Wales at high voltages. Electricity transmission is at 400Kv and 275Kv and is carried on large steel pylons, or in exceptional circumstances, by underground cable. The local electricity distribution company, Yorkshire Electricity, distributes electricity to most consumers. This local network of electricity lines of 132Kv and lower is carried by steel pylons, on timber poles, or is laid underground.
12.54 Council powers to control the development of the electricity transmission and distribution network are limited, as electricity undertakings have permitted development rights under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (as amended). The Government determines proposals for the construction of these electricity lines, but the Council is given the opportunity to comment. If the Council objects to an electricity line, the Secretary of State must hold a public inquiry. Applicants such as National Grid Transco are required to submit an extensive analysis of the impact of their proposal on the environment. In selecting electricity transmission routes National Grid seeks to reduce the number of people affected and the degree to which they are affected. The nature and topography of the landscape and any statutory protection afforded to an area are also taken into account.
12.55 The Council will seek to influence the location and number of overhead electricity lines feeding into and through the district and thus, avoid further impact on the landscape, the environment, the character of the area and on residential amenity. Proposals in employment/industrial areas do not generally raise concerns. Applications will not be supported in certain sensitive locations, where such development is considered inappropriate. This is likely to be the case in designated areas of nature conservation value and where development is likely to affect sites and features of historic interest, or residential areas. Discussion will be sought at an early stage between Yorkshire Electricity, National Grid and the Council to assess the options for alternative routes and the possibility of siting cables underground to ensure the visual and environmental effects of new electricity lines are minimised. It is recognised however, that the undergrounding of high voltage lines will only take place in exceptional circumstances and that the most appropriate approach would be to minimise the visual impact in the routing of an overhead line. National Grid Transco has also recently published 'Design Guidelines for Development Near High Voltage Overhead Lines', which provides useful advice in this area. Development will need to be consistent with other policies of the UDP and will be subject to the following policy:-
Policy EP 24
Control of Overhead Electricity Lines
Where the Council is consulted on an application for a new overhead electricity line, it will seek to ensure through its consultation response that any unacceptable impact on the landscape, residential amenity or the environment is avoided and that the following areas should be avoided wherever possible:-- the Special Protection Area and Special Area of Conservation;
- Sites of Special Scientific Interest or other important nature conservation sites;
- Conservation Areas and sites, buildings or parks/gardens of historic or architectural interest including Listed Buildings and Scheduled Ancient Monuments;
- existing residential areas; and
- open moorland.
12.56 The Council will seek to ensure that, where appropriate and necessary, power lines are sited underground for amenity reasons. However, this may not always be the most appropriate means of siting cables since, ‘undergrounding’ can have major environmental implications. Underground cables make a big impact on the landscape during construction and can damage sensitive habitats, archaeological sites and existing land uses. Furthermore, in the case of high voltage lines (of or greater than 132Kv), there are also technical, practical and cost disadvantages of this method. An assessment of these issues will need to be made in the consideration of any application.
12.57 The Council will have regard to the amenity of potential occupiers in determining planning applications for developments close to electricity lines. In addition, statutory safety clearances, which are defined to ensure the safe operation of the overhead line from contact with objects, must be maintained by any development taking place near to overhead lines. These are published in the Electricity Supply Regulations 1988. In considering applications for development in close proximity to overhead power lines the Council will give great weight to the advice and guidance issued by the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) on the possible health risks. A review by the NRPB 'Electromagnetic Fields and the Risk of Cancer' (2001) indicates that there is no good evidence to link the radiation produced by electricity lines with health risk. Research into this, by the Government and its advisors, is continuing.