Farmer loses electricity pylon battle

The power cables will stretch from Teesside to York

A North Yorkshire landowner has lost her fight to stop electricity pylons being built on her land.

A high court judge ruled in favour of the National Grid which was seeking a restraining order against Rosalind Craven.

The ruling gives the power firm full access to Mrs Craven's farm at Huby, near Easingworld.

Mrs Craven will also have to pay 50% of National Grid's legal fees, estimated to be £65,000 in total.

Rosalind Craven found the decision "very severe"

After the hearing Mrs Craven called the the judgement "very, very severe".

She said:"There was not a moment of relief in the judegement.

"He [the judge] stuck to National Grid's arguments and dismissed mine as irrelevant"

Mrs Craven began her case when National Grid announced plans to construct a line of 216 pylons from Teesside to the outskirts of York, three of which would affect her land.

She has been fighting the plans for the last 11 years and refused to allow contractors working for National Grid on to her farm.

Wayleave orders

But the power firm claimed so-called 'wayleave orders', granted in 1998, gave it permission to work on her property.

David Mercer of National Grid said: "This was the last resort for the company.

"It has been a difficult time for Mrs Craven and ourselves.

"But we are pleased that our right of access has been confirmed."

National Grid said the case had not held up construction, with 158 pylons already put in place, and the project should be complete by the end of 2003.