Hereford locals say a new nature reserve in the city would be blighted if plans for “extremely large” new electrical substations are approved.

The National Grid has applied for planning permission to install the substations housed in green glass-fibre units which would be 2.3 metres (7.5 feet) tall and 3.3m (11 feet) wide, at the main Green Street entrance to Bartonsham Meadows.

It appears that a flood-proofing concrete base would raise the units a further 60cm (2 feet).

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These would supply electricity to Welsh Water, local residents and businesses.

But although the firm’s application describes the site, in a bend formed by the river Wye to the southeast of the city centre, as a “grazing field”, the 100-acre Bartonsham Meadows has since last spring been leased as a publicly accessible nature reserve run by Herefordshire Wildlife Trust.

The St James' and Bartonsham Community Association of local residents says the substations “will completely dominate” the main entrance and block the view of the meadows from the road, while vehicle access to maintain the reserve will be restricted.

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“There could not be a more inappropriate site,” the residents said in a statement. “It is a stunning unspoilt setting just a few minutes walk from Hereford city centre and an asset to residents and tourists alike.”

They also claim electromagnetic fields from such substations “have been proven to impact negatively on health” while the transformers also emit noise.

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“There has been no consultation with local community groups about this scheme and whether a more appropriate site can be found,” the residents said, and claim cabling work has already started at the site.

The planning application, numbered 233134, has already drawn 20 individual objections.

But Herefordshire Council’s ecology officer Ana Coxixo said the meadow has “no statutory nature conservation designations”, and that the council “has no reason to request any further ecological assessment” regarding the “small” proposed development.

Commenting on the application remains open via the council's website until March 7, with a decision on it expected by 27 March.