Transpower looks set to reduce the size of buffer zones along its Western Bay of Plenty transmission lines after strong opposition from property owners who consider the buffer zones a land-grab.

Transpower requested the inclusion of buffer zones between 24 and 64 metres wide in the Bay of Plenty Regional Council's proposed district plan, which brought strong opposition from Federated Farmers and individual land owners.

Transpower has now informed council it has revised its requirements and a pre-hearing meeting has been arranged for Tuesday, April 17 giving submitters the chance to hear the new proposals.

Te Puke farmer and member of Bay of Plenty Federated Farmers, Steve Bailey says he is pleased council has called the meeting, but he's not optimistic that Transpower will back from buffer zones altogether.

``We are happy council has called the meeting and are willing to listen to what Transpower has to say, but our bottom line is that buffer zones should not be part of the district plan at all,'' he says.

Phillip Martelli, council's manager for resource management, says April 17 was the date set to hear submissions on Plan Change 5, (electricity transmission buffer zones), but last week Transpower informed him it had revised its proposal.

``I understand Transpower is now looking at using the span length of transmission lines to set the width of the buffer zones and revising what activities will be permitted within the zone,'' he says.

Phillip says the meeting may resolve some issues but the official hearing will still go ahead, this time on May 7.

Steve says nationally at least 48,000 hectares of privately owned land could be affected if a precedent is set by the proposed changes to Western Bay council's plans.

"Other regions are watching what happens here. If council incorporates buffer zones into its district plan it will amount to a significant land grab by a State Owned Enterprise and seriously affect what owners can do on their land, as well as the value of their properties,'' he says.

Federated Farmers policy analyst in Tauranga, Nigel Billings says while it is too late for submissions on the buffer zones, concerned landowners can still make their views known to Western Bay of Plenty District Council councillors. `

'The final decision still lies with the politicians,'' he says.

Nigel believes Transpower should not be able to use the Resource management Act to protect its commercial interests, which he says are adequately covered under existing regulations.

Under Plan Change 5, restrictions would be imposed on how the land affected by the buffer zones could be used and there would be new rules for earthworks, buildings and subdivision and even deer fences and water tanks would need resource consents.

Next Tuesday's meeting will be held behind closed doors with only Transpower and those who have made submissions able to attend. However, the formal hearing before an independent commissioner on May 7 will be open to the public.