After two years of stakeholder and community consultation, National Grid is nearing completion of its planning application for a project that will transform the Cotswolds national landscape by removing 16 pylons and around 7km of overhead line and replacing them with cables buried underground.

The Cotswold scheme was launched as part of National Grid's Visual Impact Provision (VIP) project*; a national scheme to reduce the visual impact of existing high-voltage power lines located in protected landscapes in England and Wales.

Local communities in Winchcombe, Cheltenham and the surrounding villages are invited to hear more about the updated plans which will form the content of the planning application submission, scheduled for spring 2024.

Three public information drop-in events are being held in February so that locals can meet the project team, ask questions and give feedback as plans are finalised.

• Stanton Hall, Charlton Kings, GL53 8AR - Friday 23 February 2024, 3:00pm-7:30pm

• Abbey Fields Community Centre, Winchcombe, GL54 5QJ - Saturday 24 February 2024, 10:00am-2:00pm

• Whittington Village Hall, Whittington, GL54 4HD - Tuesday 27 February 2024, 3:00pm-7:30pm

National Grid will also be holding an online webinar on Thursday 29 February 2024 at 6:00 pm where anyone unable to attend the drop-in sessions can hear about the important updates and ask questions.

The project team will provide updates on the layout of the sealing end compounds (where the underground cables re-join the remaining overhead line) and the proposed underground cable route, which differs from the version shown last summer after extensive survey work and feedback from local people, stakeholders and landowners.

Information about traffic management plans and our proposals to protect the environment during construction will also be available, as well as details about the National Grid's Community Grant Programme.

Robbie Griggs, lead project manager at National Grid, said: "By going underground in the Cotswolds, we'll transform the skyline right across the stunning landscape of the Cotswold Plateau. The chosen area was selected following extensive independent landscape and visual impact research - which identified the plateau as one of the landscapes most affected by pylons anywhere in England and Wales.

"After two years of stakeholder and community consultation, we are pleased to be nearing the completion of our carefully developed project plans. We value feedback from the local community on our plans to enhance this special, protected landscape and encourage everyone living locally to come along and see the final proposals before they are submitted in the spring."