National Grid Visual Impact Provision Project (VIP)

National Grid commissioned Gillespies, LUC and Professor Carys Swanwick as a collaborative team to work with stakeholders and carry out a systematic comparative assessment of existing overhead lines in AONBs and National Parks. The objective was to develop a consistent, evidence-based methodology to compare the effects of infrastructure across a wide range of valued and sensitive landscapes.

The outcome was a shortlist of twelve sections of line identified as having the most significant landscape and visual impacts within designated landscapes. This was agreed in collaboration with an independent Stakeholder Advisory Group, chaired by environmentalist Chris Baines. The project’s innovative and rigorous approach was recognised with a 2015 Landscape Institute Award for Landscape Policy and Research.

Following the study, four priority sections were taken forward for more detailed technical, environmental, and stakeholder assessment. With £500 million allocated by Ofgem to reduce the visual impact of transmission infrastructure in protected landscapes, National Grid explored various mitigation approaches. Given the sensitive nature of these protected areas, replacing existing overhead lines with underground cables has generally proved to be the preferred option both technically and in discussion with local stakeholders.

Gillespies prepared Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments for two of the priority projects. The first was located in the Peak District National Park near the Woodhead Tunnel at Dunford Bridge. The second focused on a three-kilometre section of line spanning the Dwyryd Estuary in Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, near Porthmadog. These assessments provided a robust basis for informed decision-making, ensuring that the proposed interventions would enhance the visual quality of these iconic landscapes while meeting the technical and regulatory requirements of major infrastructure delivery.