Pinchbeck Parish Council is puts together a plan to get ‘substantial’ benefit for community from National Grid pylon plan
A village which could be on the route of a new 60km pylon route is putting together a plan to get cash out of National Grid bosses to benefit the community.
Pinchbeck Parish Council is proposing to ask for something ‘substantial’ - with one member even proposing a sports centre - as compensation to the village which is likely to be hosting pylons.
National Grid is currently running a consultation on its proposals to run more 60km of new overhead line between two potential substations at Weston Marsh to transport renewable energy to East Leicestershire. The consultation ends on August 6.
While concerns were expressed on the loss of views in the village, members have agreed to form a subgroup to look at plans to put forward to National Grid, which will be offering up ‘community benefit’ for affected villages.
The council has had success in getting benefits for their community from developers after using money from the Spalding Power Station to fund £116,000 worth of improvements to the playing fields Rotten Row, Leaveslake Playing Fields and the Glebe Field in 2021.
Coun James Avery said that this was a critical national infrastructure project which will be decided by the Government and not South Holland District Council but added that there might be an opportunity to get something back for the village.
Coun Avery said “We have to think very carefully about the impact and effect might be as to what that mitigation might be.”
He later said: “We should be asking for something substantial. The pylons are going to be there for decades - not just one day but every day for someone’s life.”
Chairman Coun Ann Savage, who was given a dispensation to speak after declaring an interest, highlighted that the ‘massive pylons’ are going to impact on the views around the village.
She said: “If you go down Glenside North or Northgate that (the pylon proposal) is going to change that outlook forever.”
Coun Savage later added: “People like Richard Tice (Boston and Skegness MP) say we can fight it but the bottom line is this will be decided at Westminster.
“For me, what we need to think is there any other impact we need to be mindful of. My gut feeling is that we will see more solar panels applications in this area once the infrastructure is there.”
Coun John Smith said the application would have a big impact on the village so it was important to get some payback for the community.
While Coun Terry Moore put forward this idea: “Could we ask for a good sports centre?
“I think we ought to be thinking outside of the box for what we want for our community.”
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