The impact of transmission lines on property values: coming to terms with stigma

Elliott, Peter; Wadley, David

doi:10.1108/02637470210428347

Cited by 22 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Such visual impacts may also come with other collateral impacts, such as reducing property values, harming fauna and flora and being perceived to threaten health due to electromagnetic fields, which in turn usually also shape negative perceptions about these infrastructures (Elliott & Wadley, 2002;Soini et al, 2011). Recent cases of public opposition to high voltage power lines in the UK further corroborate those findings (e.g., Save Our Valley, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 69%

“…These authors proposed a conceptual framework to understand the factors explaining acceptance or opposition for new powerlines that includes the role of aesthetics as a predictor of attitudes towards transmission lines and, through this, of acceptance or opposition. However, despite the fact that public opposition to high voltage power lines continues to exist and to have high visibility (DevineWright et al, 2010), the social and psychological aspects related with electricity networks in general have received little attention (see Soini et al, 2011) and, particularly, the visual impacts of pylons (Elliott & Wadley, 2002).…”

Section: Public Perceptions Of High-voltage Power Linesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Explaining public preferences for high voltage pylon designs: An empirical study of perceived fit in a rural landscape

Devine‐Wright

Batel

2013

Land Use Policy

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 The UK Government held a design competition for high voltage powerlines in 2011  We examine public preferences for conventional and alternative pylon designs  The winning design in the competition was the most preferred  But undergrounding is a more acceptable mitigation measure than alternative designs  This highlights the need for public discussion of different models of power supply *Highlights (for review) 1 ABSTRACTIn many countries, electricity transmission networks are being upgraded and developed arising from policies aiming to decarbonise energy systems.However, new power lines are often controversial, due to their perceived negative impacts on rural landscapes. Despite the fact that visual impacts are an important element of public objections, to date, little research has analysed public preferences for alternative pylon designs, as well as investigating the social and psychological factors that might explain such preferences. This paper sought to address this gap, informed by research on public acceptance of renewable energy technologies, using a survey conducted with a representative sample of UK adults (n = 1519). The findings indicate that the 'T-pylon' design, winner of a recent competition, was most strongly preferred and the one most perceived to fit with a rural landscape, by comparison to the conventional 'A frame' design and a 'Totem' design shortlisted in the competition. Linear regression analyses indicated three factors that explained perceived fit, regardless of the designs: lower levels of educational attainment, positive general attitudes towards transmission lines and higher levels of trust in National Grid were associated with positive perceptions of fit of the pylons in a rural landscape. Finally, findings concerning public support for diverse mitigation measures indicated that the use of alternative designs was less supported than burying new powerlines underground and routing pylons away from homes and schools. The implications of these results for more sustainable grid networks are discussed.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 69%

Section: Public Perceptions Of High-voltage Power Linesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Explaining public preferences for high voltage pylon designs: An empirical study of perceived fit in a rural landscape

Devine‐Wright

Batel

2013

Land Use Policy

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“…Control over the risk source is a key issue that could explain different risk perceptions related to EMF. For example, the EMF strength of a hairdryer (at 30 cm) is comparable to that directly beneath a 275 kV power-line (Elliott & Wadley 2002). However, there is far less public concern about the health effects of hairdryers than there is about high-voltage power-lines.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…The effect of overhead high-voltage power-lines on the value of real estate often influences owners' attitudes, consciously or unconsciously. This impact has attracted the attention of many studies, although no conclusive results have been drawn (Furby et al 1988a;Kroll & Priestley 1992;Elliott & Wadley 2002;Sims & Dent 2005;Chalmers & Voorvaart 2009). Kinnard and Dickey (1995) noted that 'fear (whether reasonable or not) is (legally) admissible as an explanation of why diminution in property value has occurred' (p. 25).…”

Section: High-voltage Power-lines: Perceived Impactsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Visual significance as a factor influencing perceived risks: cost-effectiveness analysis for overhead high-voltage power-line redesign

López-Rodríguez

Escribano-Bombín

2013

Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal

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Residents' concerns about the impact of high-voltage power-lines often lead to conflicts in urban, suburban and rural areas, affecting the acceptance of projects and leading to additional implementation costs. This paper presents analysis which is intended to serve as a useful tool to aid decision-makers in managing these concerns, while taking the economic consequences into account. It was applied in the selection of an alternative to rerouting and/or undergrounding two 220 kV power-lines in the urban fringe. The influence of the power-lines' visual significance on perceived health and safety risks was estimated using visual factors and expert assessment. The estimated effect of visual significance was then integrated in economic analysis that linked the initial investment effort, its effectiveness and potential reinvestment costs. This analysis unblocked the process of selecting routing alternatives, informing the parties involved about the trade-offs of each option. Introducing the above-mentioned variables in the decision-making process helped make decisions more socially sensitive.

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“…(Elliott and Wadley, 2002). While, overall, health effects remain inconclusive, public concern continues, as evidenced by transmission utilities' adopting conservative measures towards the siting and operation of infrastructure (Linder, 1995).…”

Section: Authoritative Commentary Comes From the Australian Radiationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Power lines and homeowners: Risk perception, reaction and property value effects

Elliott¹

Self Cite

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The findings suggest that locale and place attachment are fundamental to understanding the cause in variations of perceived HVOTL risk and reaction. Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) continue to be of concern to the homeowner, and if anything, anxiety about perceived health-related impacts appears to be more prevalent than before.The thesis emerging from this project is that the perceptions and reactions of the homeowner towards the effects of HVOTL placement are formed differentially according to the meaning of homeownership and the cultural, social, economic and geographical setting. Each homeowner will have a mix of traditional values such as security, safety and belongingness along with emerging ones of late modernity concerning lifestyle, identity and trust in authority. All are influenced by locale in shaping risk perception and reaction.Hence, there are different contexts in which risks of HVOTL siting are experienced and iii they create a complex matrix of meanings to the homeowner, leading to variations in risk perception and reaction. Further, the thesis proposes that real estate behaviour and changes in property value are an outcome of these variations in risk perceptions and reaction. Perceptual and market behaviour studies confirm that proximity to HVOTLs contributes significantly to property value reduction but the view of a tower structure is more significant.The project provides a number of guidelines for any review of the modus operandi of electricity suppliers. For example, greater emphasis could be placed on the role of place identity in the evaluation process and technical studies undertaken for the final siting of HVOTL corridors. Locale and place attachment are fundamental to understanding the cause in variations of perceived HVOTL risk and hence are central to resolving conflict in community consultation. As a result, additional emphasis on a 'bottom up' approach rather than a technocratic model of decision making should also be encouraged as this means is more sensitive to local concerns and perceived risks. Such approaches can alleviate fatalistic attitudes to the public participation process as well as promoting trust in the electricity supplier.

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The impact of transmission lines on property values: coming to terms with stigma

Cited by 22 publications

References 10 publications

Explaining public preferences for high voltage pylon designs: An empirical study of perceived fit in a rural landscape

Explaining public preferences for high voltage pylon designs: An empirical study of perceived fit in a rural landscape

Visual significance as a factor influencing perceived risks: cost-effectiveness analysis for overhead high-voltage power-line redesign

Power lines and homeowners: Risk perception, reaction and property value effects

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