Lincs farm to be ‘decimated’ by new pylon route

A couple who spent more than two decades transforming a neglected dairy farm into an award-winning organic haven say National Grid’s plans for a new pylon route will “destroy everything” they’ve built.

Jon and Judy Homer, of Homelands Farm at Croft near Burgh le Marsh, Lincolnshire, were initially relieved when proposals for the 87-mile Grimsby to Walpole overhead line appeared to avoid their 27.5ha farm.

But a recent route change now places pylons, haul roads and maintenance tracks directly across their land.

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“It was a complete bombshell. It’s been devastating,” said Mr Homer.

“Not only will the farm no longer be viable, we will not be able to sell. We will lose our livelihood and 22 years of work will be destroyed.”

The Homers developed the farm with no agricultural background, creating species-rich organic meadows, a 4.5ha woodland – believed to be the first in England with organic status – and habitats for rare and native wildlife.

© No Pylons Lincolnshire

The farm produces sustainable lumpwood charcoal, hosts off-grid eco-camping and is home to a herd of rare Border Leicester sheep.

“They want to take our best hay meadow for mitigation planting to offset the damage caused elsewhere,” said Mr Homer.

“Trees and hedgerows we planted will be ripped out, ponds filled in, and a 60m swathe cut through our woodland.

“It will impact 42 of our 68 acres. The livestock will have to go.”

The couple have had a meeting with representatives from National Grid following visits from contractors Dalcour Maclaren who carried out bird and environmental surveys.

Jon and Judy Homer © No Pylons Lincolnshire

“It’s been a desktop planning exercise,” said Mr Homer.

“They ignored my advice on where to find bats and red kites. This shows a complete lack of understanding.”

He added: “They say they’ll reinstate the land after construction, but every shovelful of soil would have to be organic.

“It would take 30-40 years to get back to where we are now.”

National Grid response

A National Grid spokesperson said: “The Grimsby to Walpole project will connect homes, businesses and public services across Lincolnshire and beyond to sources of homegrown energy which can lower electricity bills and make our country more energy secure.

“The project team has recently met with Mr and Mrs Homer to discuss the project, explain the reasons for the change, and understand the impacts on them and their holding more fully.

“The project is working with the feedback from this meeting to assess what changes could be made to mitigate the impact in this area.”

Campaign group No Pylons Lincolnshire has been supporting the couple. It has urged the public to email concerns about the Grimsby to Walpole pylon plans to National Grid by 11.59pm 6 August at: contact@g-w.nationalgrid.com.

More details are at available on the National Grid website.

The National Grid added that its consultation is a key chance for people to help shape the project’s design, suggest community benefits and mitigation measures. It also urged interested parties to attend one of its events to learn more and provide feedback.