Pylons project could face further six-year delay!

The Co Monaghan Anti-Pylon Committee has welcomed the announcement this week of a public enquiry in Northern Ireland into the development of EirGrid’s controversial cross-Border electricity interconnector project.

Those in the county opposed to the development of the project using overhead cabling and pylons have expressed the view that the N Ireland enquiry could lead to a delay of up to six years in the development of the scheme.

Northern Ireland’s Environment Minister Edwin Poots is ordering the Planning Appeals Commission to investigate the Northern section of the controversial development in relation to health concerns and the possibility of laying the power lines underground.

The hearing is to take evidence for and against the project which has angered many living on the Border of Tyrone and Armagh.

This latest setback for Eirgrid comes weeks after it was forced to withdraw its planning application in the Republic at a public hearing in Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, after legal flaws were found.

A 100-mile stretch of pylons carrying the 400 KV power line will stretch through the border Counties of Tyrone, Armagh, Monaghan, Meath and Cavan if Eirgrid’s plans proceed.

The 400KV power line has been strongly opposed by those living near the preferred route both North and South of the border.

FULL REORT IN THE NORTHERN STANDARD