Laois farming family appeal Eirgrid planning approval to An Bord Pleanála

A Laois farming family has appealed Laois planning approval for a new high voltage electricity substation.

EirGrid Plc was given permission in May from Laois County Council to build a series compensation compound in Ballacolla beside the M8 motorway.  Measuring about 213m by 183m, the Knockkyle plant would connect to the existing Coolnabacky to Moneypoint 400 kV overhead line. 

John Phelan and family who live next to the site, lodged an appeal to An Bórd Pleanála on June 19.

In their submission to the application, the Phelan family said they “strongly objected on the grounds of the potential negative environmental impact to both humans and animals in the vicinity”, as well as a “possible detrimental effect on water and air quality”.

“This proposed project is only a few hundred metres from our kitchen door”, and would be “a constant eyesore”.

They said there was abundant wildlife and aquatic life on their farm, farmed by them for 150 years. They are concerned that there will be both noise and air pollution. They had asked for further information on the scale and impact.

“This objection also has the support of many concerned neighbours. We wish to vigorously and rigorously object,” the Phelan family said.

Other members of the Phelan family had lodged a similar submission, expressing concern at the potential effect on their tourism hostel business at Farran House. 

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) also made a submission. They were concerned that a proposed 36 m tower could fall on the M8 motorway.  The TII say it is “a sensitive location” where the motorway is at the maximum speed limit, crossed by the high power line. They said public safety on the motorway must be prioritised.

The TII were also not satisfied with the further information given, and recommended planning conditions if it was approved. 

EirGrid say that series compensation “replaces the need for new transmission lines to be constructed when power demand increases, and renewable energy generation is added”.

In answer to the submissions, EirGrid say there will be no emissions into the air, except from employee vehicles.They say the nearest pond on the neighbouring land is artificial and 50 metres away and so aquatic life will not be impacted. They say noise will be limited and temporary during construction, and is “not likely” to exceed daytime levels, noting the noise from the motorway. They say that the visual impact of the towers will be “low to negligible” with vegetation largely hiding it.

Laois County Council itself is one of the landowners who gave permission for the facility, along with landowner Jeremiah Bergin.

The plan includes the removal of one existing overhead line tower and construction of two 400 kV towers 36m high, two 400 kV gantry structures 29m high. Three series compensation platforms 12m high. A single storey control building with 7 parking spaces, stores building, two firewater storage tanks and a pumphouse.

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There would also be associated 400 kV electrical equipment.

Permission is also for site development and preparation works, a temporary construction compound; a medium voltage substation, underground cabling and earthgrid; surface water drainage network including an attenuation pond, various fences and gates, lighting poles, an internal road; water supply via a new borehole, a foul water holding tank, access track and landscaping. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) had concluded that the site had “low importance for wintering waterfowl”.

Laois County Council had approved planning permission on May 27.