The High Court has upheld planning approval for the North-South Interconnector after a challenge from landowners.

The North East Pylon Pressure Campaign challenged An Bord Pleánala in the High Court, objecting to its decision to approve the construction of approximately 300 pylons carrying 400,000 volts across Meath, Cavan and Monaghan.

Planning approval for the project was granted by An Bord Pleanála last December. This was subsequently made the subject of judicial review proceedings, culminating in Tuesday’s High Court decision.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio this week, Padraig O’Reilly from the campaign group said that the NEPPC was not surprised by the decision.

“We’re on this road a long time, obviously we’re disappointed. We’re not opposed to the interconnector, but we want it to go underground.

“We’ll read the judgment and look at appealing in the Court of Appeal or it may go directly to the Supreme Court.”

The challenge also involved EirGrid, which was tasked with constructing the pylons.

EirGrid has welcomed the decision to uphold planning approval for the southern element of the project.

EirGrid comment

John Fitzgerald, director of grid development and interconnection at EirGrid, said: “The North-South Interconnector is undoubtedly the most important infrastructure scheme on the island today and will help deliver very real benefits to domestic and commercial customers.

“We look forward to moving on to the next stage of the project, in particular engaging with landowners in Meath, Cavan and Monaghan who are directly affected by it.”