POUNDSTOCK Parish Councillors Mr Colin Gilbert, Mr Guy Rowland, Mr Rupert Powell and County Councillor Mr Bob Booker (Marhamchurch and Week St Mary) met on site at Black Rock, Widemouth Bay, recently, at the location where Western Power Distribut­ion have placed a new sub station immediately adjacent to the highway.

Western Power Distribution was represented at the meeting by their distribution manager Keith Ferguson and local engineer Ian Parkinson. The minutes of the meeting were taken by Poundstock parish clerk Lynn Pluess.

Mr Ferguson explained that County Highways had objected to their initial intentions to place the sub station on the opposite side of the road because of the long term intentions to construct a cycle way and footpath. He also explained the tight constraints within Black Rock's new development.

Cllr Booker pointed out that although there were high hopes of the footpath and cycle way this hadn't reached the planning stage and neither side of the road had been decided.

When Cllr Booker questioned him about the positioning of the sub station Mr Ferguson agreed that it did not comply with the plans as submitted to County Highways for their observations. He also pointed out that the sub station on the drawing was only one metre from the highway. This would not have allowed space for a footpath and that County Highways had not objected as they were considering the opposite side of the road for the path.

Mr Ferguson said that although power companies had statutory permitted development rights to carry out these works Western Power Distribution were mindful of the intrusion such works could create, and they had chosen the more expensive ground level enclosed substation rather than an 'ugly' H Pole raised transformer because of the harm this would have done to the visual amenity of Widemouth Bay.

After lengthy debate as to what could now be done Mr Ferguson agreed to move the sub station away from the road as far as possible within its restricted site. This would give an opportunity for some screening to be carried out. He also suggested that if the parish council could let him know what screening they would like he would ensure that it would be carried out according to their wishes.