‘Pylon corridor would destroy our autistic son’s quality of life’

Ten-year-old Connor O’Neill is utterly terrified of loud noise.

Mechanical noises terrify him to the point that he can’t go swimming with his class, as that would involve walking past a loud electricity generator.

Neither can he use public bathrooms as he is terrified somebody will turn on an electric hand dryer. When Connor, who has autism and can’t speak, hears loud noise, he starts sobbing, sticks his fingers in his ears and is visibly distressed. He will cling to his father when on a busy street.