Dear Sir/Madam,
Re: Final Re-Evaluation Report, May 2013
The Doohamlet
District Community Development Association (DDCDA) represents the community of
the village and environs of Doohamlet, County Monaghan.
We welcome the fact
that Eirgrid will not seek permission for ‘micro-siting’ of towers in it’s
application to An Bord Pleanala, as this will allow concerned citizens an
opportunity to fully understand the impact of the proposed development.
Following the
Community Meetings held locally in May 2013, we have concerns that some of the
assessment criteria considered at the “Preferred Route Corridor” stage have not
been equally applied within the more detailed “Line Design” stage. It appears
that landscape and environmental design considerations are prioritised at the
higher “Preferred Route Corridor” level, while at “Line Design” stage technical
and landowner considerations have been prioritised. For example, we note that
in our area alterations to the tower locations are proposed as a result of a
development granted planning permission in 2011. We wonder whether this
amendment is resulting in bigger impacts to our area in terms of the landscape,
environment etc. An open and transparent basis for prioritisation and
consideration of constraints within the Line Design is required.
Furthermore, an
informed assessment of the proposed development cannot be fully made until the
Environmental Impact Assessment has been completed and details of proposed
mitigation measures and any subsequent line changes are proposed.
The DDCDA remains
concerned that the proposed development will negatively impact residents and
members of our community and that our landscape and environs are being
sacrificed for the protection and prioritisation of other areas.
Yours sincerely,
Teddy Duffy
Chairperson,
Doohamlet District Community Development Association
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