Meeting with planning authorities over NS Interconnector project

A meeting with Eirgrid and ESB and the three planning authorities involved in the North South Interconnector project is expected to take place later this month, Cavan councillors have been informed.

The proposed interconnector, which has passed all planning hurdles North and South of the Border, involves pylons and power lines along a 138km route from Yurleenan in Co Tyrone through counties Cavan and Meath.

The meeting was confirmed by Director of Services, Brendan Jennings, at the September monthly meeting of Cavan County Council after Cllr Clifford Kelly (FF) asked for an “update” on the proposals thus far. The Kingscourt councillor has asked for updates on the controversial development at every full meeting of the council for a number of years now.

Mr Jennings responded: “A request has been made to meet with the three planning authorities involved and I expect it to take place at the end of this month.”

Eirgrid intends to use statutory powers to access lands to deliver the Interconnector project if landowners failed to enter into a voluntary agreement. In February of this year, the semi-state body said it would request ESB to make the required applications for ‘wayleave’ notices as per the statutory process in the absence of those agreements. The plan was set out in a letter received by over 400 affected landowners.

Meanwhile, the North East Pylon Pressure Committee (NEPPC) has been advocating on behalf of affected landowners for over a decade and continues to demand that the lines be placed underground.