A CONSERVATION body has obejected to National Grid's plan to erect giant pylons on the western boundary of the Lake District National Park.

The Open Spaces Society has joined the Friends of the Lake District and other objectors in opposing the erection of pylons to connect a proposed new nuclear power station at Moorside with Heysham and Carlisle.

The pylons are part of the North West Coast Connections project. National Grid wants to place them along the Whicham valley and around the head of the Duddon estuary. They are eight times the size of the existing pylons, being nearly twice as tall and seven times the volume.  

Kate Ashbrook, general secretary of the Open Spaces Society, said: "We deplore National Grid’s plan to erect an army of massive pylons marching across this splendid landscape.  

"They will be visible from miles around, from within and outside the national park, and will destroy the lovely setting of the fells and the Duddon estuary.

"We believe that these pylons will jeopardise the Lake District’s bid for World Heritage Status as well as ruining people’s enjoyment of this splendid, unparalleled landscape. Income from tourism is crucial to the Lake District’s economy and this could well be impaired if the landscape is trashed.

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"There are many commons in the vicinity, where the public has the right to roam freely on foot, and in many places on horseback. The pylons would have a severe effect on people’s enjoyment of the commons, such as the massive Black Combe to the west of the Whicham valley.

"We call on National Grid to abandon its current plans and instead consider alternative locations which will not damage a unique landscape," said Ms Ashbrook.