Sparks flying Battle over new wave of pylons needed to meet climate target

Tucked away beyond the industrial landscapes of northeast Derbyshire and the M1 corridor, the Amber Valley is an oasis of greenery: ancient trees, listed buildings and public footpaths that are increasingly popular with tourists.

- Fiona Harvey, Helena Horton, Jillian Ambrose

But the local resident Katie Hirst fears that appreciative visitors will vanish along with the unspoilt landscape if a route of 50-metrehigh pylons is brought down the valley as National Grid intends.

"People come here for wonderful walks and the unspoilt landscape, and that would be gone, and the economy would really suffer," said Hirst, the co-founder of Save Amber Valley Environment (Save), one of a growing number of grassroots groups opposed to pylon schemes across the country.

According to Hirst, farmers in the Amber Valley have diversified into tourism and visitors to these Peak District fringes increasingly support jobs for local young people.

"It's terrifying, to be honest," she said. "It feels like the government has got this 2030 deadline and that's all that matters. If this carries on, there'll be no countryside left. Where will people come and allow their mental health to recover?