A GROUP opposed to a proposal by Eirgrid for a second North/South electricity interconnector has claimed it breaches more than 20 planning policies.
Eirgrid plans to build the interconnector in the northeast which would link grids in the North and South. The North East Pylon Pressure group made an oral submission to a hearing by An Bord Pleanála in Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, yesterday.
The group claims to represent 45,000 people in counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath opposed to the development. It says it has support from such bodies as the GAA, the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association, the Irish Farmers’ Association, Fáilte Ireland, the Irish Hotels Federation and local county councils. The group says the proposal contravenes 22 adopted planning policies by Meath County Council under its county development plan.
It also revealed the impact this may have on the Meath landscape with 167 support towers of varying heights across the county.
Speaking on its behalf, Gary Rowan, a chartered town planner, said the Eirgrid proposal disregards the adopted planning policy in Co Meath, which required electricity cables to be placed underground. He said overhead cables would represent an intrusion into the sensitivities of the receiving landscapes including the Boyne Valley and the Tara Skreen Hills.
He said that chapter 14 of the environmental impact study submitted by Eirgrid confirms that there would be long-term physical negative impact on 44 cultural heritage sites.
He also pointed out in his submission that Meath County Council had already refused planning permission for a 30m (98ft) high telecommunications mast on the route of the proposed pylons.
Group chairwoman Aimee Treacy said they were apolitical, would not use scaremongering tactics and would operate only through democratic processes. The group would not tolerate any aggressive or potentially militant activity. “It is an inescapable fact that high and extravoltage power lines and pylons are the most objectionable form of public utility infrastructure on land,” she said.
Internationally renowned expert Prof Friedhelm Noack is due to give his submission tomorrow.