Council: 'Put lines under the ground'
by Tom Carron Updated: Wednesday, 10th March, 2010 5:00pm
The North/South electricity interconnector should be put under ground for its short journey through County Cavan, it is proposed by county councillors from East Cavan in an attachment to a submission prepared by the County Manager, Jack Keyes and county council executive, which is now being forwarded for consideration by An Bord Pleanála.
According to the councillors concerned (David Blake, Niamh Smyth and Paddy McDonald), the Eirgrid pylons if placed overground will cause severe damage to Lough an Leagh mountain as a tourism and recreational venue. The pylons and adjacent sub station would also impact adversely on the mountain as a location of important heritage and biodiversity, the councillors claim.
Cllr. David Blake, who's land would be directly affected by the proposed development, said that Eirgrid's Environmental Impact Study (EIS) totally ignored the scenic importance of Lough an Leagh mountain and also the area's historical value both in terms of the cairns that were on located on the mountain and also that Muff fair is the oldest horse fair in Ireland, dating back to the 1600s. The pylons would travel near to Muff Cross and also come within a short distance of the local Laragh school and church, he said.
Cllr. Blake, who was reading from a prepared submission, went on to speak of the health fears of residents of Muff, Lough an Leagh and Corlea areas as regards the Eigrid pylons being situated near to their homes. The elected councillors recognised that the North/South electricity interconnector was an important piece of infrastructure but they were not prepared to endorse it as presently proposed. They want the lines put underground.
Cllr. Blake acknowledged the work undertaken by Director of Service, Ger Finn and also by fellow councillors Niamh Smyth and Paddy McDonald who were part of that working group. However, he took issue with the comment in the County Manager's report that "the development in principle is acceptable". He felt that this statement was very strong and didn't see it as necessarily being the case.
Mr. Ger Finn: That report was prepared by the Executive and that is our submission. You have added your submission.
Stating that she fully agreed with everything that David Blake had said, Cllr. Niamh Smyth said that the pylons issue had mobilised communities across Cavan, Monaghan and Meath. She was totally opposed to the pylons being placed above ground and, while agreeing that the interconnector was a necessary development, it was her view that alternatives must be found as soon as possible. Electronic magnetic radiation held frightening connotations and the implications for communities in the Lough an Leagh and Muff areas was serious, she suggested. "Eirgrid know that this project can't be accepted as it stands," stated Cllr. Smyth.
According to Cllr. Paddy McDonald, there was very little consultation by Eirgrid with the public on the pylons project. The Fair of Muff attracted people from all over Ireland yet the pylons ran within 170 metres of Muff Cross. It also ran close to the local school. Some of the pylons were 90 metres high and would dominate the landscape. He believed that the council should make a strong case to have the pylons placed under ground.
The closing date for submissions on Eirgrid's proposed project is this Friday, March 12. A decision on the application is due on July 15.
Eirgrid has contended that undergrounding is not an option because it is cost prohibitive and problematic for maintenance and upgrade works.
Post a Comment