planting over Elec cables - how upset do they get?!

[Doing it for the kids]

Signing off wayleaves with requested 3m clear strip above it - they say no planting.

in reality, i am sure many do. i would like to plant a screening hedge. cable only serves me and no 3rd parties.

How angry do they get if they find out. can it really do much damage with a few hedge roots to an armoured cable, 1 m down?

 

[Steevo]

A hedge is unlikely to do too much, but an oak tree certainly might. I can't imagine they'd be too impressed digging through roots if they ever had to repair it though.

Nothing to stop a tree growing there by natural causes.....but I'd be careful planting it if could get traced back to you. Could end up being a hefty bill if things go wrong.

 

[Steevo]

Added to that....a 3m strip doesn't sound much. That oak tree I mentioned or even a large quick growing conifer!) planted 1.5m away from the cable (half the strip, assuming the cable is in the middle of the 3m strip) would soon have roots touching the cable.

 

[Doing it for the kids]

You make a good point, in a tricky position because planning conditions stipulate planting over the cable.

Luckily it’s behind locked gates so other than google earth I may be in the clear....

 

[Steevo]

You make a good point, in a tricky position because planning conditions stipulate planting over the cable.

Luckily it’s behind locked gates so other than google earth I may be in the clear....

Surely you have a good case to challenge the planning conditions. Either get them to suggest an alternative, or get it dropped altogether.

In my book power company rules trump the local planning officer’s plans.

 

[Kidds]

BT threaded a cable between some very young conifers to one of our properties.
No problem at the time but 30 years later that cable was constantly breaking due to the tree growth stretching it.

 

[flywheel]

What do they mean by 3m clear strip... Can you plant a crop otherwise it be weeds & before you know.. Land be knocked off your field etc..

 

[Alchad]

Signing off wayleaves with requested 3m clear strip above it - they say no planting.

in reality, i am sure many do. i would like to plant a screening hedge. cable only serves me and no 3rd parties.

How angry do they get if they find out. can it really do much damage with a few hedge roots to an armoured cable, 1 m down?

Just to understand your problem - I’m assuming you’re talking about an underground cable the electric company has put in to supply your property (or one if your buildings?) So is it 240 volt volt single or 3 phase, or is HV supplying a transformer. The former might not be a bigger problem for them compared to 10,000 volts HV for the latter. Also where does the screening hedge come into this, is it to hide the 3 metre wayleave? It’s a bit confusing.

Alchad

 

[Doing it for the kids]

Surely you have a good case to challenge the planing conditions. Either get them to suggest an alternative, or get it dropped altogether.

In my book power company rules trump the local planning officer’s plans.

I need a screen there, it’s my oversite!

BT threaded a cable between some very young conifers to one of our properties.
No problem at the time but 30 years later that cable was constantly breaking due to the tree growth stretching it.

Bt ducting as well, all UG, hate anything above ground nOw, especially after these gales!

What do they mean by 3m clear strip... Can you plant a crop otherwise it be weeds & before you know.. Land be knocked off your field etc..

In the easement they ask for 1.5 clear strip to be left either side of cable. Weeds and grass is fine but not trees / hedges.

Just to understand your problem - I’m assuming you’re talking about an underground cable the electric company has put in to supply your property (or one if your buildings?) So is it 240 volt volt single or 3 phase, or is HV supplying a transformer. The former might not be a bigger problem for them compared to 10,000 volts HV for the latter. Also where does the screening hedge come into this, is it to hide the 3 metre wayleave? It’s a bit confusing.

Alchad

It’s a 300 amp 3ph cable from memory, Lv, from new sub to commercial units.

Got similar problems with the HV but more space there to be creative there!

 

[puppet]

The wayleave should make it clear what is allowed. I have a 3 foot gas pipe 1.2m down and all the hedges are re-planted so not an issue. However it won't be allowed to get 30 foot high. Trees and buildings obviously no.

 

[Doing it for the kids]

The wayleave should make it clear what is allowed. I have a 3 foot gas pipe 1.2m down and all the hedges are re-planted so not an issue. However it won't be allowed to get 30 foot high. Trees and buildings obviously no.

Gas pipe is different, we have the same.

Easement says no planting, that’s quite clear. I just don’t know how important that part is!

 

[Lakesdigger]

Realistically what are the chances of them calling in to see that you've planted a hedge over the cable, I'd reckon slim. The only time it would become an issue is years down the line if there's a fault on the cable at which point they would be within their rights to rip hedge out to get to their cable, but this would likely be far enough into the future there wouldn't be any comeback on you. Jfdi.

 

[steveR]

Realistically what are the chances of them calling in to see that you've planted a hedge over the cable, I'd reckon slim. The only time it would become an issue is years down the line if there's a fault on the cable at which point they would be within their rights to rip hedge out to get to their cable, but this would likely be far enough into the future there wouldn't be any comeback on you. Jfdi.

Indeedy. Got some less than useful tree planting carried out by my late Uncle that the water co moaned about... I just said it was before my time

 

[Wombat]

Indeedy. Got some less than useful tree planting carried out by my late Uncle that the water co moaned about... I just said it was before my time

Just say it was down to Covid, the default excuse for everything