COUNCIL chiefs have been in talks with energy bosses about plans to put up a chain of giant pylons in Lancashire beauty spots.

The huge structures are being planned to transfer electricity from a new generation of low carbon power plants.

Bosses at National Grid say high-voltage cables are needed by 2020 to connect nuclear power stations, such as Sellafield and Heysham, and new windfarms to the national grid.

Yesterday representatives from the energy firm met with Ribble Valley councillors to discuss the plans.

Opponents believe the route could pass through the Hodder and Ribble Valleys, from Quernmore through the Trough of Bowland, Dunsop Bridge, Whitewell, Cow Ark, Bashall Eaves, Great Mitton, Whalley, Billington, Read and Padiham.

This comes as Defence Secretary Liam Fox urged Energy Secretary Chris Huhne to rethink plans to use pylons to carry electricity instead using underground cables.

The plans, could see 165-foot high-voltage transmission lines passing through a strip of the most beautiful countryside in the area.

Ken Hind, senior vice chairman of the Ribble Valley Conservatives group, said: "We must avoid the quick fix to keep the lights on which threatens to blight the countryside.

"For us in the Ribble Valley we should press for undergrounding if the route of new transmission lines is going to pass through the AONB, and also ask the question, are pylons the answer for the future.

"If we are to have credible green credentials then the decision needs to be taken on more than short term economics ignoring the environmental impact on the longer term."

The company is now studying technical and environmental information to assess how connections might be built, prior to a public consultation later this year.

When considering the positioning of power pylons, guidelines known as the Holford Rules, which were first drawn up in 1959, are considered by planning inspectors.

They state that overhead lines should “avoid altogether, if possible, major areas of highest amenity value.”

National Grid officials could seek planning permission to build new infrastructure within three years.

Jeanette Unsworth, a spokesperson for the National Grid, said: "We will be consulting extensively on where new infrastructure should be located and how the impact can be reduced, for example, by considering areas where putting cables underground might be appropriate.

"Because some technologies, such as underground cables and subsea cables, are significantly more expensive than overhead lines and those costs ultimately fall on the electricity bill-payer, a balance has to be struck between the impact on the landscape and affordability for the consumer.

"The planning process will look carefully at these issues and ultimately the Secretary of State will determine whether the balance is right and whether consent can be granted."