Large stretches of the Kent countryside in Kent, England, are to be transformed thanks to the joint efforts of EDF Energy Networks and the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Unit.

EDF Energy Networks is investing approximately £362,000 in two separate schemes to remove sections of the overhead electricity network in the county - at Cobham Park near Gravesend and at St Margaret’s at Cliffe - both in the Kent Downs.

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.

The projects at Cobham Park and St Margaret’s at Cliffe are the latest ‘undergrounding’ schemes to get the go-ahead in the county, after being put forward to the regional steering group by Kent AONB Unit. Only last year similar projects were approved in the Kent Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty at White Horse Wood Country Park and Ightham Mote.

Successful projects are determined by the regional steering group made up of a range of environmental experts, including Kent AONB Unit, and chaired by Natural England. EDF Energy Networks offers technical support and guidance to the group and carries out the work but doesn’t vote on individual projects.

Nigel Collier, EDF Energy Networks’ protected area project officer, said: “EDF Energy has brought together environmental experts from every AONB and national park in the South-East and East of England to ensure that the funding we have will have maximum impact on the regions’ most beautiful landscapes. We are proud to provide the technical expertise required to bring these Kent Downs projects to fruition.”

Tim Owen, partnership officer for the AONB unit, said: “It is great to be working with EDF Energy Networks again to remove power lines in some of the most beautiful parts of our landscape, at Cobham Park and St Margaret’s at Cliffe. It is fantastic to get these two projects approved and we will be delighted when the wires and other equipment finally disappear.”

Engineers will begin installing replacement underground cables in parts of Cobham Park and St Margaret’s at Cliffe in the latter part of next year (date to be confirmed) before deactivating and removing the old overhead equipment.