Green light for extensive works to electricity line network in Laois
EirGrid plan to upgrade over 10km of electricity lines in County Laois
Planning permission has been granted on a conditional basis for extensive upgrade works to overhead electricity lines in Laois.
Mott MacDonald Ireland Limited submitted a planning application on behalf of EirGrid for the uprate and refurbishment of the Athy - Carlow 110 kV circuit which traverses a number of townlands in Laois.
The development will replace and restring a 10.2km section of the conductor along the existing Athy-Carlow line that runs through Laois. Also included in the plans is the provision of fibre communication connection on the uprated circuit.
The works are planned to take place in Aghanure, Ballybeg, Ballyfoyle, Ballylinan, Ballynagarr, Clonpierce, Coolgarragh, Cullenagh, Drumroe, Garroonagh, Graiguecullen, Killabban, Killyganard, Oldcourt, Tankardstown, and Whitebog.
The proposed works relate to the refurbishment of the existing grid infrastructure. EirGrid said the works are required as part of their responsibility to operate, maintain and develop a safe and reliable electricity transmission system.
The development will form part of the national electrical grid infrastructure.
EirGrid will replace 14 existing intermediate wooden polesets with similar structures. The replacement of these structures will result in standardised heights from 16 metres to 23 metres, with height increases between 1 and 2 metres.
Also listed in the application is the replacement of 15 existing intermediate wooden poleset crossarms and bar member replacements to 2 existing steel angle masts. Recapping works on shear blocks at 2 existing steel angle masts also need to be carried out.
Laois County Council granted planning permission for the upgrade works, subject to a number of conditions.
Among the conditions is that the development cannot begin until pre-construction ecological assessment surveys are carried out by the Monitoring Ecologist.
These surveys will examine otters, badgers, bats, breeding birds, Desmoulin’s Whorl Snail, and any protected animals or flora in the areas designated for development.
A Habitat Protection Plan must also be prepared by the Monitoring Ecologist which should identify exclusion zones for important breeding or roosting sites and habitat buffers. No work can be done in these areas.
The design life of the proposed development is approximately 50 years and it is anticipated that the transmission line will remain a permanent part of the national electricity network.
Planning applications were submitted to all relevant local authorities, including Carlow County Council and Kildare County Council.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme