Conflicts of power, landscape and amenity in debates over the British Super Grid in the 1950s

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)
53 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The 'Super Grid' network of high-voltage power lines transformed the landscapes of England and southern Scotland in the 1950s. This article examines debates over the siting of pylons, with a focus on the public inquiries into the proposed lines across the Pennines in Lancashire. It brings together archives on electrification from the newly nationalised British Electricity Authority, preservationist groups and local government to reveal deeper insights into processes of local and national decision-making about and popular attitudes to the rural landscape. It uncovers how the public inquiries exposed tensions and differences about the definition of amenity, not just between the electricity industry and preservationists, but also between interests representing urban industrial districts and the National Parks, northern and southern England, and within the preservationist movement. The conflicts over pylons and amenity shows how narratives of landscape preservation were contested and riven with class, region and economic differences in the postwar period.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)87-103
Number of pages17
JournalRural History
Volume30
Issue number1
Early online date29 Mar 2019
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2019

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Conflicts of power, landscape and amenity in debates over the British Super Grid in the 1950s'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this