The North East Pylon Pressure Campaign has said that Tuesday’s High Court ruling on the North-South Interconnector challenges basic landowner and community rights.

The group looks set to appeal the High Court decision once it has reviewed the judgement.

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

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

Planning

Last December, An Bord Pleanála granted planning approval for the North-South Interconnector. On Tuesday, the High Court upheld this approval despite challenges from landowners.

The NEPPC then 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.

NEPPC Challenge

The NEPPC has come forward with a number of concerns in relation to the ruling:

  • The High Court decision to uphold the An Bord Pleanála planning approval does not change any of the campaign plans, nor does it resolve any of the issues for EirGrid or for the current Government.
  • The affected communities and landowners will continue to steadfastly reject the North-South Interconnector in its current format because there is a viable alternative of undergrounding that eliminates the unacceptable health risks and environmental impacts of 400kV overhead lines.
  • The case highlighted that access to landowner properties is not part of the planning application approval.
  • The case also highlights the low ranking that landowners and affected communities receive in infrastructure-related planning applications. There is a need for political intervention and a practical political solution that respects basic human rights. EirGrid concedes that undergrounding is feasible, but is not being directed by Government to follow this option.

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