The Cork Harbour Anti-Pylon Association is preparing to petition the EU Commission to prevent the ESB from building more than 80 above-ground pylons in the harbour area. The opposition to the proposal to build a series of overland pylons is happening in tandem with the Little Island Residents Association's campaign against moves by the local authorities in Cork to locate a major sewerage treatment plant at Carrigrennan, also in the harbour vicinity.
The ESB insists its pylon proposal is the best and argues that to go sub-sea, as the residents have suggested, would cost an extra £20 million. The proposed overland route for the pylons would cost about £9 million, says the ESB. However, residents say this fails to take into account the cost of land acquisition and the cost of land devalued by the existence of unseemly pylons.
The opposition group claims that it has the support of the Cobh Chamber of Commerce, tourism interests in the town and local residents.
Last night, at a meeting in Cobh, the group explained to local residents where it stood on the issue and outlined its plans to seek redress in Europe if necessary.
Although Cork County Council has already granted planning permission to the ESB, and this has been supported by An Bord Pleanala, councillors at yesterday's meeting agreed to seek a meeting with the relevant Government Departments and with senior ESB officials.