New pylons could be an easy target for terrorists, MPs believe.

The Tory trio of David Heathcoat-Amory of Wells, John Penrose of Weston-super-Mare and Dr Liam Fox of Woodspring, think "overhead power lines are vulnerable to terrorist or other attack, and that this creates an additional reason for undergrounding power lines."

The security suggestion is one of the counter-arguments aimed at swaying the Government's consultation on how electricity is transmitted.

The importance of the National Policy Statements for Energy discussion comes as it impacts National Grid's Hinkley Point to Avonmouth pylon plan.

The MPs' report also says: "The comment applicants have very limited choice in the design of electricity pylons is too permissive. Clearly there are functional constraints as with all industrial design, but there should be an obligation on applicants to give more consideration to the design, appearance, and aesthetics of these very prominent structures.

"Other countries use a variety of pylon designs, and with new materials and more imagination it should be possible to do the same here."

The MPs also argue that the defence enjoyed by special protection areas should be extended to places that are likely to become them, as is the case with part of the Cheddar Valley seeking World Heritage status.

They also believe the costs associated with pylons, like property blight, loss to tourism and wildlife damage, should be weighed up against the benefits of undergrounding power transmission.

"Underground should be strongly presumed when a line must run across or very near to an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or similarly designated conservation area," their response said.

The MPs demand the National Policy Statements are debated in Parliament before being adopted, and that the final planning decision is not taken by the "unelected and unaccountable" Infrastructure Planning Commission, but by a minister answerable to Parliament.

Pylon protesters ask county council for judicial review – page 9.