THE beautiful Itchen Valley could soon be getting a little more attractive.

Southern Electric is looking into burying electricity cables in the Tichborne area near Alresford.

If it goes ahead it will mean the removal of dozens of wooden telegraph poles.

George Upex, of Carter Jonas, agents for local major landowners the Tichborne Estate, said: “It’s in its infancy, but if it comes off it will be a great scheme.

“It is a fantastic opportunity for the local community to improve their environment and the local character of the area. The Tichborne Estate is very supportive.”

Mr Upex said the estate and the national park have applied for funding and SSE are looking into the costs.

“They are not part of the long-distance transportation network (the metal pylons) that is too expensive to put underground. This is the next step down, about three or four miles across the valley from Alresford.

“It has got to the point where SSE has said yes it will fund it. The caveat is that if it is too expensive they won't do it. Their engineers are working out the most cost-effective way to do it.”

SSE was asked to comment but had not done so by the time of going to press.

Andy Beattie, parkwide manager for the South Downs National Park, said: “We’re working with Scottish and Southern Electric to make the most of national funding available to put low voltage power cables underground in protected areas. We’re looking at several locations across the South Downs where this could significantly improve landscapes, wildlife and people’s enjoyment of them – including at Tichborne.

“We’ll be putting more sites forward for energy companies to consider from 2015 when more national funding will be available.”

The underground scheme was cited by locals who strongly objected to a scheme for local farmer Robert Foot to place a small solar farm at Sevington Farm, at Tichborne, a few yards from the River Itchen.