Preparatory work on North-South interconnector can go ahead
Preparatory work on the proposed North-South electricity interconnector is set to go ahead after a judge granted EirGrid’s application to vary a stay which had prevented it from commencing work. A number of landowners had opposed the variations, saying EirGrid should await the court’s decision on their full case challenging planning permission for the project which is due to be heard in July. The planned variations do not involve construction works on the interconnector and do not involve EirGrid entering onto the applicants’ lands.
The case by the North East Pylon Pressure Campaign Ltd is the first of three challenges over the interconnector due to be heard at the Commercial Court in July. All three challenges concern the decision to grant EirGrid permission, subject to conditions, to construct almost 300 pylons in counties Meath, Cavan and Monaghan. Some of the grounds include claims of failure by the board to properly address the potential impact of Brexit on the project and to consider environmental issues and the rights of affected landowners.
