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Cork County Council will make a submission to EirGrid calling on it to underground the controversial 400kv powerline it plans to erect across Munster and Leinster. Photo: 123RF

Cork County Council is to make a submission to EirGrid calling on it to underground the controversial 400kv powerline it plans to erect through a series of pylons across Munster and Leinster.

It follows a motion tabled by Cr Frank O'Flynn which was passed at Monday's County Council meeting.

Cllr O'Flynn said it was a very emotive issue in north and east Cork for farming families, communities and landowners. Areas such as Araglin, Kilworth, Fermoy, Conna, Ballynoe, Castlelyons, Clonmult, Dungourney, Leamlara and Lisgoold would all be adversely affected by the 'massive structures', he told members.

He argued the case for the line going underground on the grounds that tourism would be badly affected, the skyline would be destroyed, the view obstructed, protected structures and heritage would be put at risk, homes would be devalued and there were health implications.

There had been 'no joined up thinking' he said, pointing out that EirGrid could have put in ducting to take the line during the constructon of the M8. Or they should have looked at laying it under the sea along their coastline. In the Netherlands all high voltage cables have to be placed underground, he pointed out, and other countries such as Japan, have a similar policy.

He said there'd been 'a shameful lack of consultation' with people and said he didn't believe EirGrid's assertions on the extra costs of undergrounding. He asked his colleagues to stand 'four square' behind him. The motion was seconded by Cllr Michael Hegarty who said the giant pylons would decimate the landscape. He had sufficient support from other members to have the motion passed.

Cllr Kevin O'Keeffe pointed out that many of the areas being looked at were places of scenic beauty. He didn't want to see such places as the Blackwater Valley or the Suir river's beauty damaged.

It was agreed to email the submission as the deadline was the next day, though that was subsequently extended by EirGrid, a move Cllr O'Flynn welcomed. He also asked that a copy of their submission be sent to Energy Minister Pat Rabbitte and that they make a submission as well to An Bord Pleanala who will be deciding on the planning application. County Manager Martin Riordan is to check if the council is allowed to do so.

Meanwhile, meetings continued to take place around the region in the past week. Cllr O'Keefe said he'd attended two, one in Ballyporeen on Sunday night and one in Clonmult on Monday night.

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