40km overhead power line gets go-ahead

An Bord Pleanála has granted planning permission for the erection of a 40km overhead power line through West Cork, despite the view of its inspector a “strong case” could be made for undergrounding a section of the line.

EirGrid has been given the green light for the 110kv line, costing €20m from Clashavoon, 10km north-east of Macroom, to the outskirts of Dunmanway.

Inspector Philip Davis, who conducted a four-day hearing in Macroom last month, said in his report, there was a strong case that combined environmental and heritage issues, in the Lee Valley, would justify undergrounding the line between Clashavoon and the Terelton area.