OVERHEAD electricity cables which cross a Malvern Link industrial park are set to be moved to make the estate more attractive to investors.

The 132,000-volt cables currently carry electricity into a sub-station at Spring Lane in the Enigma Business Park, crossing one of the plots in the development.

Companies have been reluctant to locate on this plot, because of possible health problems from the cables. The proposed move will mean the cables will be diverted along the edge of the plot, instead of across it.

GPU Power UK - part of Midlands Electricity - has applied for planning permission from Malvern Hills District Council.

It has also applied to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for consent to the diversion, a procedure necessary under the 1989 Electricity Act.

Permission from owners of land between the plots, thought to be the Madresfield Estate, will also be needed. The Madresfield Estate's manager was not available for comment.

The work will mean dismantling and relocating two pylons and some 650 metres of high-tension cable.

Concerns about the cables were expressed not long after the initial marketing of Enigma Park.

Charles Lochrane of Strutt and Parker, the agents marketing Enigma Park, said: "This is great news. We have been asking for this for years, ever since we started selling the estate.

"No one knows whether power lines are a health risk, but everyone plays it safe. This should be one of the prime sites on Enigma Park but it's completely sterilised. People take one look at it and they are not interested."

As long ago at December 1999, Midlands Electricity had agreed to the relocation of the pylons and cables.

GPU spokesman Caroline Ling said work could start once permission had been obtained, but that was unlikely to be before October. The cost of the operation - not yet known - will be met by Midlands Electricity.

"Diverting power lines is always a long drawn out process, but this was longer and more drawn out than most. There have been various schemes put forward which were not suitable for one reason or another," she said.

Plans of the proposed alteration are available for inspection at Malvern Link Post Office, Malvern Library and MHDC's planning department in Portland Road.