First homes near pylons to get £250 a year off energy bills are revealed

An assessment earlier this year estimated that between 120,000 and 160,000 households could eventually receive the discounts as more projects are rolled out.

Rural campaign groups argue it is impossible to put a price on the loss of landscapes, and some residents living close to proposed projects say the money being offered is an insult.

Kate Matthews of the Save Our Mearns campaign group, fighting plans for upgraded pylons in north-east Scotland including the Kintore to Tealing project, said the discount scheme was an insult.

She said: “£2,500 off electricity bills over 10 years is a slap in the face for residents facing ruined businesses and unsellable homes.

“This government is either massively out of touch or is showing their contempt for affected residents and energy consumers.”

Matthews said the plans had already caused “mental anguish” for residents who now faced a decade of development that would lead to noise, road closures, and heavy traffic.

“Then a lifetime of pylons impacting on their environment, agriculture, tourism, property values, physical and visual amenity to name a few,” she added.