Power lines near Devizes beauty spot will be buried underground

Work is expected to be finished by the end of 2026

Overhead power lines in an area of outstanding natural beauty will be buried underground.

The National Grid has been given planning permission for the scheme on the North Wessex Downs, just north of Devizes in Wiltshire.

Work will start in January to bury almost three miles (4.6km) of power lines, and is expected to be complete by the end of 2026.

It is hoped the move will improve views of the surrounding landscape.

The National Grid said removing the high voltage lines would "transform the skyline" north of Devizes, including views from the Millennium White Horse.

Senior project manager for the scheme, Chris Carr, said securing the planning permission "represents a major landmark in the project's progress".

The line and 13 pylons that will be removed run from the west of Roundway Hill to a field north of the Kennet and Avon Canal, close to the Bridge Inn on Horton Road.

Organisations including Wiltshire Council, Natural England and Historic England were consulted for the project.

The National Grid has put together before and after shots of what the view will look like

There have also been discussions with groups focused on archaeology, ecology and countryside access.

Ian Currie, from contractor Balfour Beatty, said they were looking forward to "bringing back the unhindered views in one of Britain's most beautiful landscapes for walkers, visitors and the local community".

Director of North Wessex Downs National Landscape, Henry Oliver, said that while there will be some disruption during construction, "almost all of the route is arable farming, so you're not going to be digging up ancient grasslands or chopping down hundreds of trees".

"There will be a great big trench at various points whilst they are doing the construction and then that will disappear," he added.

National Grid has been working on similar projects elsewhere, with those in the Dorset area of outstanding natural beauty and the Peak District National Park already completed.

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