The Dorset village set to be bigger tourist attraction now historic views restored

A rural village in Dorset has had its beautiful and historic views of uninterrupted landscape restored after a £850,00 project. Nestled under the Purbeck Hills, Ullwell is surrounded by beautiful Dorset countryside and is near to Swanage.

While not unknown to toursits visiting the area, thanks to campsites and holiday parks. Just a four-minute drive from Swanage beach it is a hit with people hoping to explore some of Dorset’s stunning coastline.

The village has a tiny population, with the popular Village Inn pub, Ulwell Fram Caravan Park and vets. Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks recently underwent plans to improve the area’s landscape by removing power cables and replacing them with underground power supplies and cables.

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However, the village is no doubt going to become more popular than ever now historic views have been restored to the area. Godlingston Hill is far from Dorset’s most famous steep incline, but it was recommended for a project which removes unsightly overhead networks.

The £850,000 project allows residents and visitors to better enjoy the spectacular scenery of Godlingston Hill in Ullwell and its now uninterrupted views. The works took three month as part of SSEN’s £15 million undergrounding programme.

The energy network is currently undergoing a £15m investment programme to underground 90km of overhead distribution lines in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, National Parks and National Scenic Areas across its central southern England and north of Scotland networks.

The £850,00 project saw power lines removed from the Dorset countryside

Tim Brooks, SSEN’s project manager for the works, said: “It’s been a pleasure for my team and I to work on this project in such a beautiful area and we’re delighted to have been able to restore the historic views across Godlingston Hill, while providing local customers and visitors to the area with a network that meets their needs now and for many years to come.

“This Dorset village is popular throughout the year with both tourists and local residents and it was important to SSEN, as a considerate constructor, that we carried out these works at a time that minimised disruption for everyone and also took into account flowering seasons and breeding patterns of local wildlife. In particular, we had a very set date that we wanted to complete the project, so no noise or ground movement was made that would upset nesting birds and I’m happy to say we met those timescales.

“On behalf of my team, I’d like to thank residents for their patience while we carried out these visual improvement works and boosted their local power supplies.”

Tracey Churcher, the National Trust’s general manager from the Purbeck Portfolio added: “We are really pleased with the SSEN works to remove the overhead power cables around Currendon farm and the impact this has had on enhancing the natural beauty of the area. The works were completed on time and at a quiet time of the year, and that is really appreciated.”

While SSEN’s overhead infrastructure provides a secure and cost-effective way of safely distributing electricity to homes and businesses, the distribution operator appreciates that the network can have an impact on the natural environment in officially designated beauty spots.

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