PYLONS contractors are working on "boggy" land at Rosalind Craven's farm - even though Government planning conditions say soil conditions should be dry.

When permission for a line of pylons across the Vale of York was granted in 1998 by then Trade and Industry Secretary Margaret Beckett, a series of conditions was imposed.

Condition 11 stated: "Work in connection with the development shall be undertaken in dry weather conditions and when the soil is in a dry state."

It was said that the condition was needed "to minimise the risk of compaction and long-term damage to the soil structure."

But at widow Rosalind Craven's farm at Huby, near Easingwold, where work began earlier this month in preparation for the construction of three pylons, the fields are heavily waterlogged after recent rainfall.

"It's like a bog," said Mrs Craven, who was barred by a High Court judge last year from blocking National Grid's access to her land.

"It's very heavily waterlogged. In fact, it's as wet as I have ever seen it.

"I think there will be long-term damage to the soil structure."

But a spokesman for National Grid today defended its actions, saying a number of steps had been taken to prevent damage to the topsoil.

"To afford the highest levels of protection for the soil we carry out a number of measures which may include removing topsoil before construction commences and replacing it on completion, and installing stone and aluminium trackway panels on access roads and construction work areas," he said.

"In certain circumstances we also use low ground pressure vehicles to further reduce land impact. In addition, we take the expert advice of agricultural consultants ADAS regarding land conditions and good working practices."

However, because of the recent high rainfall and the resultant ground conditions, a restricted work programme had been in operation yesterday at Home Farm, which involved curtailing some main construction activities.

He said a review meeting was taking place today with the agricultural advisory service ADAS, at which decisions would be made on whether any additional measures needed to be taken to ensure continuing protection to the land.

Updated: 11:42 Tuesday, January 21, 2003