GREEN belt land in one of Barnsley’s most rural spots has been sold to the National Grid in order for pylons to be removed to redirect power cables underground.
The scheme - approved by Barnsley Council’s planning board in June - received the backing of the local authority’s cabinet members on Wednesday.
The project - dubbed the first of its kind in the world - will see seven pylons along a one-and-a-quarter mile stretch taken down in Dunford Bridge and power channelled underground.
Just £7,800 will be paid for the land, documents revealed.
Coun Chris Lamb said: “It seems rather odd that there’s been negative media coverage on this proposal - the sole intention is to remove the negative visual impact of the pylons.”
Council leader Sir Steve Houghton added: “People complained when we put the pylons in and complain when we take them out, sometimes you feel like you can’t win.
“The long-term gain to the landscape is huge, and you’d hope people would appreciate that.”
