A LARGE stretch of marshland within the Broads National Park is set to be transformed with the removal of overhead power lines at the ancient monastic site of St Benet's Abbey, near Ludham.

A LARGE stretch of marshland within the Broads National Park is set to be transformed with the removal of overhead power lines at the ancient monastic site of St Benet's Abbey, near Ludham.

EDF Energy Networks is investing approximately £360,000 in the project which will include the removal of approximately 3.3 kilometres of overhead electricity cable from land near the Abbey, a scheduled ancient monument.

Engineers will install replacement underground cables before deactivating the overhead network and removing the power lines, together with 42 wooden support poles.

The work will be funded from a special allowance granted to EDF Energy Networks by the industry regulator Ofgem, enabling them to remove overhead power lines from designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and National Parks.

Successful projects are determined by the regional steering group made up of a range of environmental experts, including the Broads Authority, and chaired by Natural England. EDF Energy Networks offers technical support and guidance to the group and carries out the work, but does not vote on individual projects.

Lesley Marsden, Broads Authority landscape architect, said: “We are delighted to be working with EDF Energy Networks again to remove 20th century power lines which clutter the remote landscape at this ancient monastic site and detract from the wild, marshland experience within the National Park.

“People who visit this popular site, such as walkers, anglers and sailors, will welcome the move to restore the open beauty of the area.”