Around 1,500 submissions made over proposed North-South Interconnector

Some 1,500 submissions have been received by An Bord Pleanála in relation to EirGrid’s proposed North-South Interconnector, which will see 401kV pylons built across five counties – Monaghan, Cavan, Meath, Armagh and Tyrone.

EirGrid, the body responsible for Ireland’s electricity network, is proposing to build the interconnector as part of its plan to upgrade the national electricity network, a plan known known as Grid 25.

Between 16 June and 24 August, a 10-week period of statutory public consultation took place in respect of the planning application for the North-South Interconnector and, according to An Bord Pleanála, in the region of 1,500 objections were made to the planning body in this period.

Objections

The objections cover a wide range of issues including the impact of the pylons on human health, heritage assets, the value of land and agriculture. In terms of agriculture, members of the public have objected to the erection of high-voltage lines and pylons on farms in the five counties and said the pylons could destroy hedgerows, forestry and valuable topsoil.

Objections also address the fact that there are currently no plans to put the North-South Interconnector underground, as there are for the other two routes under Grid25: Grid Link (in the south and east of the country) and Grid West (in Mayo and Roscommon). Speaking in April before the Joint Oireachtas Communications Committee, EirGrid CEO Fintan Slye said undergrounding would not be a practical solution for the interconnector, costing €500m more than pylons.

“Undergrounding is three times more expensive,” he said. “As a State body, this is a cost that is not acceptable and cannot be passed on to the consumer. The public should not have to pay for the cost of undergrounding when there is no enhancement of service.”

Speaking on Northern Sound FM today (Thursday), Fine Gael TD Sean Conlon demanded an oral hearing from An Bord Pleanála on the interconnector and said a refusal to proceed with a hearing by the body would fly in the face of democracy. A spokesperson for the planning board said no decision has been made on whether an oral hearing will take place. This is made at the discretion of the board and will be decided after the processing of submissions has been completed.