GROWING demands on electricity in the area ? especially in Okehampton ? are fuelling the need to erect a 132kV overhead power line and sub-station at North Tawton.

Questions and concerns regarding the proposed construction at North Tawton were aired at a public meeting in the town hall on Tuesday.

Representatives from Western Power Distribution allayed fears about noise pollution and environmental issues arising from running in an overhead line from the existing sub-station at Alverdiscott.

John Chick, wayleave manager for Western Power Distribution, said today?s demands were too great for an infrastructure built in the 1950s.

?We are being driven by a new industrial site at Okehampton, and unless something is done to the infrastructure we will have a job meeting that.?

The scheme was first suggested five years ago when it was felt the application would be an eyesore from the surrounding countryside. At the time it was requested that the powerline could go underground, but the response was it was too expensive.

However, the new planning application shows the last 1,000 metres into the proposed sub-station at North Tawton would be underground.

Planning design engineer Christian Hjelm told the meeting that without the sub-station the strain on the existing network could collapse under certain conditions.

He said: ?Supplies come in from Okehampton, Whiddon Down and Hatherleigh ? this new line should reduce the number of power cuts in this area.

?The infrastructure in the area is above its capacity so until we put in an injection of power we cannot connect new businesses and new homes without a serious risk that the area will switch off to protect itself from damage.

?As the population is growing we need to reinforce the network to cope ? but to do it at street level we need to get the bulk of the power here in the first place. We need an injection at the heart of a problem area.?

He said Western Power Distribution did not erect new lines in advance of demand, but as a response to it.

?Okehampton is the town that is growing faster than anywhere else and we have to respond to such needs.?

In response to a question about building the proposed sub-station on ?best agricultural land? Mr Chick said local planners wanted the site, a maximum of one-and-a-half acres, next to the Cheese Factory.

In answer to a question about noise he said: ?If you stood by the gate and the factory was shut all you?d hear would be a low frequency hum from the transformer.?

He said that to put the whole power line underground would turn the £1-million project into an unviable £10-million.

?We are adding £300,000 to our cost by bringing the last 1,000 metres in underground.?

People at the meeting expressed concern about the felling of trees and were told the line was being surveyed to avoid properties and as many trees as possible.

Mr Chick said they had been in contact with the Devon Wildlife Trust and asked it to locate sites of importance to wildlife.

?We will be looking to look after the environment,? he said. ?We have to fell trees within falling distance of the line but we will be making efforts to minimise cutting.?

Mr Chick said consent needed to be obtained from relevant landowners. He said the borough council had the opportunity to object and, if it did, there would be a full planning inquiry. If it supported the applications the project would go to the Department of Trade and Industry.

The meeting was run by chairman of North Tawton Town Council Gill Hoggins.

?I?m very, very pleased with the outcome of the meeting. Everybody seemed very happy with the responses,? she said.