Controversial power line hits new obstacle

The ESB faced up to another obstacle this month that could potentially scupper plans to complete a new 110kv power line from Edenderry to Tullamore - an upcoming expiration date attached to the project's planning permission. Planning for the project expires on March 22 next, but Offaly planners have received a request to extend permission by three years in recent weeks. The project ran aground last September, when Clonmore woman Teresa Treacy went to prison for 20 days for contempt of court after disobeying a High Court order to allow ESB workers onto her land. Getting planning permission for the 31km 110kv line was a lengthy process for EirGrid. Initially proposed in 2006, conditional permission from Offaly County Council was appealed to An Bord Pleanala late the same year. A decision to grant planning permission was reached by that organisation on March 23, 2007, paving the way for work to be carried out on the new line from Cushaling station beside Edenderry Power generating station in Ballykilleen townland to Thornsberry station in the Tullamore townland of Derrynagall/Ballydaly. The project includes the construction of a total of 179 structures - 159 double wood polesets and 20 steel lattice masts - with conductors strung along this line. Work was halted after Ms Treacy objected to her land in the townland of Clonmore being entered by workers and trees cut down. At the time of downing tools 149 of 159 double wood polesets had been constructed along with 18 out of 20 steel lattice masts. A letter from EirGrid to Offaly planners dated January 31 requesting that the project's planning permission be extended until 2015 outlines a "substantially completed" project. The extension is requested, the letter says, "due to circumstances beyond our control which has seriously hindered construction progress on this development". It adds that once the issue of land access has been resolved the intention is to complete the permitted works. Speaking to the Offaly Independent on Thursday Corporate Communications Manager with ESB Brian Montayne said the remaining work on the project will take "a matter of weeks", but he admitted that the company hasn't made "any concrete progress" with landowner Ms Treacy. As a compromise the company arranged to alter the route of the line in order to avoid cutting trees at the northern end of Ms Treacy's site, which is near her house. A letter dated September 23 was sent to Offaly County Council on the matter, and subsequently planners deemed the changed plan could be implemented without seeking new planning permission. Mr Montayne said this compromise, which was sent to Offaly County Council while Ms Treacy was in jail, was made at a time when the company was "working very hard to come up with solutions". However, he said Ms Treacy had turned down the compromise offered. A decision from Offaly County Council regarding the extension of the project's planning permission is due on or before March 29.