EirGrid withdraws pylon plans following planning blunder

EirGrid has sensationally withdrawn its application for the Meath/Tyrone 400KV interconnector development. It follows the revelation during cross examinations in the An Bord Pleanála hearings into the project that the original planning notice, published as part of the public consultation process, had the incorrect height of the pylons to run through Cavan and Monaghan. As a result, the commercial semi-state company has said that it has no option but to withdraw its application for planning permission. However, EirGrid says it remains committed to the development of this project, which it claims is vital for the region. It is estimated that EirGrid have already spent up to €20 million on the planning proposal and the latest development could set the project back years. The An Bord Pleanála oral hearings into the so-called pylons project, which faces great opposition in east Cavan, had been adjourned indefinitely on Monday pending a decision by the board as to when, or even, if it should continue. The decision to adjourn the hearing was taken at 6pm on Monday by inspector Mary Cuneen following nearly three hours of legal arguments by all sides. She had previously adjourned the hearing on its 21st day, last Thursday, when County Monaghan Fine Gael Councillor Owen Bannigan had pointed out that the height of the pylons on EirGrid's published planning proposal did not tally with the drawings submitted for planning. During the hearing process, which lasted 22 days, many submissions were received from residents of the Kingscourt/east Cavan area whose farms homes and livelihoods may have been affected by the proposal. One Cavan campaigner said that she felt the board would have no choice but to refuse the proposal now and she called it "a moral victory already for the people who opposed it". On Monday, Luan O Braonan, SC representing EirGrid, said his clients accepted that the heights of the electricity pylons published in the press ranged from 21 metres in height to 37 metres high and not 21 to 44 metres high as described in their planning application drawings. He said this was due to an error by a consultant employed by EirGrid. However he also stated that under the Strategic Infrastructure Act there was only need for the nature and extent of such a project to be published and he quoted a number of case histories. But when questioned by the inspector at that stage, he said EirGrid had not concluded as to how they wanted to proceed. Submissions were then heard from Mr Colm Mc Eochaidh SC, representing Monaghan Anti Pylon Pressure Ltd, who pointed out that if the board goes ahead with the hearing and allows the application by EirGrid it could lead to hundreds of legal review applications. He too quoted case law and he said "the matter is regarding the unavoidable requirement that the public must be informed". Adding that the matter cannot be resolved, he pointed out that if the application is refused at this stage his clients would be looking for costs. The matter of costs was also raised by Mr Esmond Keane representing the North East Pylon Pressure Group (NEPP) who pointed out that over 50% of the towers to be sited in east Cavan and Monaghan at the height of 44 metres applied for in the drawings by EirGrid in Cavan/Monaghan, were greater than what the public had been informed of. Mr. Keane said the pylons would be over 30% higher and over 22 foot higher than what had been notified to the public. He commended Cllr. Bannigan for bringing the matter to the board's attention. Mr. Michael O'Donnell SC, representing a number of interested parties, said: "The public have been misled here. This process has no life left in it and under Irish and European law, the project cannot proceed." It now remains to be seen when EirGrid will recommence the planning process for this project and if the plans submitted will be altered in any way.