A DECISION to blot the landscapes which once inspired Turner was denounced as 'disgraceful' by Lune Valley residents this week. Bosses at Norweb have won a battle against the council to erect overhead power cables in areas of outstanding natural beauty after threatening them with costly legal action. The ruling was passed with a majority of two amid fears that a lengthy public inquiry would be a drain on taxpayers' money.

Campaigner county Cllr Tony Jones told the Citizen: "The Labour Party have sold out the Lune Valley to Norweb."

There were nearly a 100 letters of objection from local campaigners to proposals to erect overhead power cables from Butt Yeats, Hornby to Tatham Bridge and from Wennington Station to Lower Ravens Close Wood Wennington. They complained that they would become an eyesore and insisted the power company could afford the cost of laying cables underground.

From earlier negotiations with Norweb last December and January, councillors had insisted power lines should be installed underground from Shaws Wood Claughton to Bull Common Plantation and Ravens Wood Wennington.

But, according to council officers, they also stood to lose these terms if the matter went to a public inquiry.

Council solicitor Sarah Haddaway warned members that it if they rejected the proposals the public inquiry would be a test case for the multi national power company.

Cllr Derrick Stanley echoed the views of many councillors. He said: "I'm torn over this issue. I oppose overhead cables but I fear that if we went to a public inquiry we would lose what we have already got and I do not think we would be able to foot the bill."

At earlier meetings councillors laid down a ruling that in future there should be no overhead power cables in areas of outstanding natural beauty but this has not become official council policy yet.

A spokesman for Norweb said they were unable to comment at present.

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