Between 2015 and 2021, the LEI provided almost £4m for localised visual improvement projects. It has already made a positive contribution to natural beauty, wildlife and biodiversity, cultural heritage and public enjoyment. Find out about our successes so far.
The High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is an internationally important landscape, characterised by a mosaic of interconnected small woods, fields, shaws and hedges – a significant portion of which are ancient and rich in different species. The Beautiful Boundaries scheme aims to restore the historic medieval landscape by regenerating ancient hedgerows to divert attention from the overhead lines.
Particular focus was placed on locations where the lines could be seen from the area’s extensive network of public rights of way, including promoted paths such as the 1066 Walk and the Sussex Border Path. Other activities included fencing woodland to prevent damage to rare plants by grazing animals and planting hedges and trees.
£200,000 was granted to the scheme in the first round of LEI funding. Over the three years of successfully delivering the project, the High Weald AONB Partnership worked with a number of landowners in the Wealden and Rother districts of East Sussex to implement the landscape improvements.
Projects with the aim to:
screen or filter specific views of pylons or sections of 400 kV overhead lines
re-focus or channel views affected by 400 kV overhead lines or pylons
where appropriate, increase tree cover to filter views and/or enhance general visual amenity of areas affected by 400 kV overhead lines
enhance the quality, condition and/or special qualities of the landscape.
Projects with the aim to:
enhance the quality/condition of the landscape
screen or filter specific views of pylons or sections of 400 kV overhead lines
restore characteristic landscape features where appropriate, e.g. reinstatement of historic field boundaries.
Projects that might include:
localised diversions that may move people away from 400 kV overhead line infrastructure and/or re-focus people’s views away from the overhead lines
new trails that may offer alternative routes for walkers, cyclists or horse riders, with the aim to re-focus views away from 400 kV overhead line infrastructure and/or allow people to appreciate the landscape with fewer views of the overhead lines.
Landscape works that enhance the landscape and also biodiversity. Such enhancements may include habitat creation; in particular where such habitats are considered to contribute towards the special qualities of the National Park or AONB.
Landscape works that enhance the landscape and also the setting of cultural heritage assets, such as Scheduled Monuments that may be affected by 400 kV overhead lines infrastructure.
If you need any help or support, please get in touch with us.
Phone: 01285 841912
Available 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding Bank and Public Holidays)
Email: [email protected]
Post:
Landscape Enhancement Initiative
Benevity
Unit 9, Suite C&D
Cirencester Office Park
Tetbury Road
Gloucestershire GL7 6JJ