Representations Recieved

Peak District National Park Planning Committee Thursday 14th May 2020 Trans Pennine Trail diversion, Dunford Bridge (NP/B/0819/0885)

National Grid’s Visual Impact Provision was lobbied for by stakeholders, many based in the Peak District, and is supported by consumers.  Its aim is to reduce the landscape and visual impact of the existing transmission infrastructure in the most beautiful landscapes within AONBs and National Parks in England and Wales.    This section of the line was identified by an independent study overseen by Professor Carys Swanwick as having some of the greatest impacts on landscape and visual amenity anywhere in England.

The most notable visual impact of this section is associated with the western end, in particular the sealing end compound at Dunford Bridge and first few pylons. These are situated in elevated locations around the village and car park for the Trans Pennine Trail (TPT) and are highly visible on the local skyline.

The presence of pylons also affects the experience of visitors who park at Dunford Bridge and come to walk and enjoy the scenery, along the easily-accessible TPT, people using nearby National Cycle Routes and those participating in watersports at Winscar Reservoir.  The project represents a major opportunity to enhance the Dunford Bridge environment and setting of the National Park. 

The project has been designed by applying a unique stakeholder-led approach.  Since 2015, local stakeholders including experts from the National Park Authority, Barnsley Council and Natural England have helped shape the proposals along with user and community groups including the TPT Office, Barnsley Local Access Forum and Dunford Parish Council.  

The community had its chance to influence the proposals through a series of widely-promoted and well-attended information events.  Feedback, both written and verbal, at these events has been largely in favour of the proposals.  

The project has also received strong support from CPRE South Yorkshire and Friends of the Peak District and from its independent national Stakeholder Advisory Group which is chaired by environmentalist, Chris Baines, and includes senior representatives from the National Trust, National Parks England, CPRE, Campaign for National Parks, Landscape Institute and the Ramblers.

It will deliver significant visual improvements and landscape benefits through the removal of 1.5km of overhead line, eight pylons and sealing end compound at Dunford Bridge.

The project will deliver long-term ecological benefit through biodiversity net gain of almost 12 percent, the planting of over 8,300 trees and other mitigation measures including those designed to enhance habitat for willow tit, a bird on the red list of threatened UK species.