Posted By George Wedgwood
Ken is right and the clearance distance comes from the Electricity Supply Regulations 1988 (currently in amendment) and the relevant part is shown below:
Minimum height of overhead lines, wires and cables
13.—(1) Subject to paragraph (3), the height above ground of any overhead line, or a wire or cable attached to a support carrying any overhead line, at the maximum likely temperature of that line, shall not be less than that specified in this regulation.
(2) In relation to an overhead line used, or intended to be used, at a voltage specified in column 1 of Schedule 2 the height referred to in paragraph (1) shall be—
(a) at any point where that line is over a road accessible to vehicular traffic, the height specified in column 2 of Schedule 2 as appropriate to that voltage; and
(b) at any other point, the height specified in column 3 of Schedule 2 as appropriate to that voltage.
(3) This regulation does not apply to any overhead line at a point where it is not over a road accessible to vehicular traffic and which—
(a) is surrounded by insulation; or
(b) is not surrounded by insulation and is at least 4.3 metres above ground and connects apparatus mounted on a support to any overhead line; or
(c) is connected with earth.
(4) The height above ground of any wire or cable which is attached to a support carrying any overhead line shall not, at its likely maximum temperature, be less than 5.8 metres at any point where it is over any road accessible to vehicular traffic.
(5) Every overhead line shall be so placed that it shall not, so far as is reasonably practicable, come so close to any building, tree or structure as to cause danger.
Position, insulation and protection of electric lines
14.—(1) For the purposes of this regulation an electric line placed above ground which is connected to any source of voltage shall be considered to be ordinarily accessible if and so long as it may be reached by hand from any scaffolding, ladder or other construction erected or placed on, in, against or near to a building or structure, but shall not be considered to be so accessible during such reasonable period during and after the erection or placing as may be necessary to arrange for the protection of that line if that was the purpose, or part of the purpose, of the erection or placing.
(2) Any part of an electric line placed above ground which is not connected with earth and which is not ordinarily accessible shall be insulated.
(3) Any part of an electric line placed above ground which is not connected with earth and which is ordinarily accessible shall be—
(a) made dead; or
(b) so insulated that it is protected, so far as is reasonably practicable, against mechanical damage or interference; or
(c) adequately protected to prevent danger.
(4) Any bare low voltage electric line placed above ground which is not connected with earth shall be situated, throughout its length, vertically above a bare electric line which is connected with earth.
(5) Nothing in this regulation shall require the supplier to insulate or protect any part of any electric line placed above ground which, but for the provisions of paragraph (1), would not be required to be insulated or protected unless—
(a) he has been given reasonable notice of the erection of the building or structure which would cause that line to become accessible; and
(b) unless otherwise agreed, the person responsible for the erection of that building or Structure which would cause that line to become accessible Shall have paid, or undertaken to pay, the reasonable cost of the insulation of the line.
(6) Nothing in this regulation shall be taken to allow the application of temporary insulation to any electric line other than a low voltage line.
Precautions against access
15.—(1) Every support carrying a high voltage overhead line shall, if the circumstances reasonably require, be fitted with devices to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, any unauthorised person from reaching a position at which any such line would be a source of danger.
(2) The supplier shall attach and keep attached safety signs to supports carrying a high voltage overhead line of such size and placed in such positions as are necessary to give due warning of danger in all the circumstances.
Before installation Ken's suggestions should be implemented as well as a risk assessment carried out, to identify appropriate standards for catenary attachment, insulation, access and fixing arrangements.
All in all a bit of an epic! Could you not install a generator on the other side?