Published: Wednesday, 31st March, 2010 5:00pm

Submissions on pylons top 850

A protest against EirGrid's proposals in Kilmainhamwood, Co. Meath, in August 2008. Photo: Barry Cronin

An Bord Pleanála has been inundated with submissions to the proposed EirGrid planning application to build the North-South Interconnector and a spokesman for the board put the number in excess of 850.

Chris Clarke from An Bord Pleanala said that the board's objective in these hearings is to try and get them decided with an 18-week period but pointed out that in a case as big as this, it stands to reason that it could take quite longer.

EirGrid propose to run a 400Kv power line overland through counties Cavan, Monaghan, Meath and Tyrone but there is strong opposition to this and the vast majority of the people want the cable underground. The closing date for submissions was Friday, March 12.

Mr. Clarke, speaking to The Anglo-Celt this week, said that the submissions they had received was one of the largest if not the largest in its history. "The vast majority of the submissions have been made by individuals and families, but organisations like Meath ICMSA, the Kilbeg Parents Association, the Irish Aquatic Association, the Irish Peatland Conservation, various Cavan branches of the IFA as well as Cllr. Brian Fitzgerald from Meath have all voiced their concern," he added.

All 850 submissions will be reviewed and the inspector dealing with the matter will have them in front of him/her quite soon and the next part of the progress will be to set up the oral hearing. "We will try and set up the oral hearing quite quickly but the volume of material that is there is going to affect it."

The oral hearing, he added, usually takes place six to eight weeks after the closing date. But in this case, An Bord Pleanála is in unchartered territory as it has never had 800 plus objectors before.

Mr. Clarke stated that the Bord would normally have the oral hearing as close as possible to the location but in this case it could present problems because of long journeys on some participants. The board is trying to work a way around that, to try and facilitate as many people as possible. "There may be separate locations in Cavan, Monaghan and Meath for separate strands. It is not going to be easy to facilitate everyone," he said.

With regard to the hearing, Mr. Clarke pointed out that there have been instances were hearings have run five or six weeks. After the board make its decision, there is an eight-week period in which people can decide if they wish to pursue a legal route if they are not happy with the bord's decision.

Mr. Clarke said objections will be on a point of procedure and not on the nature of the decision that was under review. "In a case of this size, it is quite conceivable that there will be," he concluded.