Villagers living under pylons divided on discounts

Without the distinctive skyline of pylons towering above, a first-time visitor to the village of Whiston might think they were in the middle of the countryside.

In reality, the neighbourhood between the M1 and Rotherham is only semi-rural, with proposals in place for a major energy infrastructure project.

National Grid has proposed replacing nine existing electricity pylons next to Whiston Vale to support increasing power flows as part of "essential" nationwide upgrades.

Villagers say they are at ease with the structures, having lived in their shadow for years - but a proposed substation as big as 11 football pitches is more of a concern.

Similar projects are planned across the UK, with the government announcing that households within 500m of new or upgraded pylons will get a £250 yearly energy bill discount for 10 years.

Elizabeth Dennison, 38, whose Whiston Vale home backs onto the row of pylons and the proposed substation site, said the discount was a "joke" considering the project as a whole.

She said: "I think they sugar-coat everything.

"They're trying to make it sound better by going, 'over 10 years, it will be £2,500', but that's nothing. What can you buy for that?

"It's £20 a month. When you pay £200 a month for your gas and electric – it's just an absolute joke."

National Grid plans to submit a planning application to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council later this year, and said construction would start in 2026, taking about three years if approved.

A spokesperson said the proposals were an "essential" part of the grid upgrade which was the "largest overhaul of our energy network in a generation".

They said the company would continue to work closely with the council to minimise disruption.

"We believe communities who host new infrastructure should see an enduring and tangible benefit for doing so," they added.

The government said it would publish guidance on how developers should compensate areas hosting substations, such as by funding community projects and facilities.

Communities could get £200,000 worth of funding per kilometer of overhead electricity cable in their area, and £530,000 per substation, it added.

Ms Dennison said she had initially ignored a letter from National Grid about the proposal, describing it as "near Brinsworth" - a village two miles away.

"I feel like they did it on purpose so people would look at the letter, think 'that's nowhere near here', and just bin it."

Letters providing details about the work were sent to 288 addresses within half a mile of the substation area, and invited residents to consultation events on the Brinsworth to High Marnham project.

The project, which includes the site in Whiston, was intended to accommodate "increasing power flows of energy" which would overload the grid in its current state.

National Grid said upgrading transmission infrastructure, particularly in the centre of the country, would connect more green energy sources with areas of demand.

Anna Chumakova and Rich Bruin say they are used to cables going over their land on Whiston Vale, so are not worried about changes to the pylons or any future substation.

"It's a field, there's nothing there already," Ms Chumakova said.

"I hope they are not going to kill any trees while building it, but that's about it. I'm sure people have different opinions, but as far as I know, we aren't predicting any [issues]."

The proposed access route to any future construction site is from Long Lane, which comes from the opposite side of the field to the cul-de-sac.

Ms Chumakova added: "If we got really picky, when it's windy, the pylons sing a bit. That's the only trouble we get. We don't notice them, they're just there."

As for the discount, Mr Bruin said: "I won't complain, put it that way.

"To us, the pylons are just there. We are used to them, and they're over the hill anyway."

Derek Sheen, who lives about 200m from the pylons on the next street, has much the same attitude.

"I've been here 30 years, the pylons have been there the whole time. It makes no difference," he said.

From Meadowcroft Close, the towers are only noticeable to him when the trees in front of them are bare in winter.

The 87-year-old added: "I'm too old to pay attention. But [the discount], that's what we love."

It will be put in place automatically by energy suppliers but is expected to be passed onto billpayers unaffected by new infrastructure, costing them 80p per year.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said this was "more than offset" by the benefits of the new infrastructure.

He said offshore wind farms have had to be switched off as the transmission infrastructure was not sufficient so "everybody benefits" once it is in place.

"Everybody gets lower bills, and those who live near pylons are given a recognition of what they're doing," he said.

A spokesperson for National Grid said it was still still considering feedback as it put together the planning application for the site.

The company looked forward to providing "long-lasting and meaningful benefits" through the project, they added.

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