A COUNTRYSIDE group says it will demand National Grid is banned from creating any development in north Essex without permission.

The Dedham Vale Society is set to make the request after a series of nine feet tall florescent orange posts have been erected across the vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The poles mark high pressure gas pipelines and are designed to be seen from helicopters monitoring the network.

Under a 1990 law, National Grid is not required to get planning permission before installing the posts.

But the society, which aims to protect Constable Country, has vowed to fight for a change and is set for talks with Colchester Council and Tendring District Council to request the blanket ban.

“Quite simply, if National Grid had to apply for permission, it would not have got it because everyone would have objected to it,” said Charles Clover, chairman of the Dedham Vale Society.

“It is our intention to request a blanket ban on National Grid development in the Dedham Vale.”

He added at their most dense, there are six poles in just half of a mile

A National Grid spokesman confirmed the orange and white poles are part of modernisation programme, in which the older concrete markers are being replaced, costing £1.8million.

“The markers are needed to assist in the helicopter surveys which run every two weeks to look for building or digging activity near pipelines,” he said.

“Our aim is to prevent injury, disruption to supplies and the cost of repair, which can be considerable."