The Landscape Enhancement Initiative (LEI) is a grant scheme that helps fund local projects to visually improve or enhance the quality of landscapes affected by existing National Grid electricity transmission lines across English and Welsh Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) and National Parks.

LUC undertook LVIAs of National Grid’s electricity infrastructure across England to identify the visual impacts of sections of line that pass through or in close proximity to protected landscapes.  This work led to National Grid commissioning LUC as landscape assessors for the LEI project. We have been helping to engage AONBs and National Parks, and advising on and evaluating submitted applications since 2016.

Successful projects to date include: tree planting and woodland creation; restoration of characteristic landscape features such as dry stone walling, hedgebanks or hedgerows; alterations to trails, footpaths, cycleways and riding routes; and projects that improve the quality of landscapes where visual mitigation through screening is not appropriate such as invasive species removal, chalk grassland restoration and scrub control.