NATIONAL Grid has confirmed the route for a section of a controversial new power line that will see pylons built close to a historic country hall.

The energy giant has been consulting with the public over one of the final parts of the Bramford to Twinstead line across south Suffolk and north Essex. National Grid has already agreed that two sections of the route through the Dedham Vale and Stour Valley can be buried underground to help protect the countryside in protected areas but says it is too expensive to bury the rest of the cables.

The Bury Not Blight group, based in Hintlesham, near Hadleigh, and national organisation English Heritage had called for the cables around the village to be buried as well, saying additional pylons would “compromise key views” of Hintlesham Hall, a grade 1 listed building.

But National Grid has now confirmed its alignment around the village which runs close to and south of the existing 400,000 volt line and to the north of the hall. Senior project manager Brian Smethurst said the route should have “no additional impact” on Hintlesham Woods, designated as a site of special scientific interest.

He said: “We have received a huge amount of feedback from residents and I’d like to thank all those people who have sent us their comments. We have tried very hard to find the right balance between all the factors we have to consider including the potential impact on the local area.

“Having done this we believe the best way to make this connection is to build an overhead line through the northern route. Of all the options we considered, we believe this one has the least overall impact on the landscape, local communities and properties including the many historic buildings in the area.”

Peter Eaton of Bury Not Blight said it was clear National Grid had not listened to its concerns of and those of English Heritage. He added: “They say one thing and then do something completely different. After three years of dealing with National Grid and the cynical way they deal with not just the public but the statutory stakeholders, I’m not surprised.”

For details visit www.bramford-twinstead.co.uk

The EADT has been running a Stop the Pylons campaign.