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Visual Impact Provision

The Visual Impact Provision (VIP) project represents a major opportunity to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife, and environmental heritage within our most protected landscapes.

The Visual Impact Provision project

The project is making use of a £465m provision by Ofgem to carry out work that reduced the impact of existing transmission lines in English and Welsh National Landscapes (formerly AONBs) and National Parks. 

At National Grid we are passionate about playing our part in conserving and enhancing the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the landscape.

The most important task for us is to use this provision to achieve the maximum enhancement to our nation’s precious landscapes while avoiding unacceptable environmental impacts.

To ensure that we get this right and maximise the potential of the Visual Impact Provision project, National Grid is working closely and collaboratively with stakeholders.

Get in touch

FREEPOST VISUAL IMPACT PROVISION

Tel: 0330 134 0051

Email: [email protected]

Stakeholder Advisory Group

The VIP project’s national Stakeholder Advisory Group is made up of senior representatives from organisations dedicated to conserving and enhancing the landscape throughout England and Wales.

Landscape Enhancement Initiative

The Landscape Enhancement Initiative (LEI) is an important part of the VIP project. Championed by our stakeholders, the initiative aims to use up to £24m of the Ofgem provision for smaller visual improvement projects.

Our main VIP projects

We have assessed 571km of our electricity transmission line in AONBs and National Parks to identify which sections have the highest visual impact on their surroundings.

Using input from technical experts, local stakeholders and communities, the Stakeholder Advisory Group recommended priority schemes where replacing the overhead line with an underground connection could have a transformative effect on the landscape. 

Visual Impact Provision documents

CotsWolds VIP

Cotswolds VIP

A stunning landscape crossed by the popular Cotswolds Way National Trail, with expansive views across farmland, ancient woodland and distinctive escarpments.

Dorset VIP

Dorset VIP

The geology is strongly expressed along the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site, and gives rise to a varied landscape of downland, ridges and valves.

Snowdonia VIP

Snowdonia VIP

A dramatic and varied landscape which includes spectacular mountain scenery, glacial valleys, extensive moorlands, and two dramatic coastal estuaries.

North Wessex Downs VIP

North Wessex Downs VIP

A predominately chalkland landscape with dramatic scarp slopes and moulded dip slopes that reflect the area's underlying chalk geology.

Landscape Enhancement Initiative (LEI)

Landscape Enhancement Initiative (LEI)

The Landscape Enhancement Initiative (LEI) is an important part of our VIP project. Championed by our shareholders, the initiative aims to use up to £12m of the Ofgem provision for...