August 23, 2006
Ireland
Ireland
A WINDFARM developer and landowners began talks yesterday in a bid to end a six-month row over the erection of high-voltage power lines.
The talks have been organised after repeated protests, land access blockades and High Court challenges over how a windfarm in Bantry, Co Cork, is connected to the ESB national power grid.
Local landowners have refused to allow the pylons to be erected on their property because of health and environmental concerns.
They have also refused all access to their property to engineers and construction teams involved in the project. Bantry Concerned Action Group (BCAG) member Joe Burke said direct talks were the only way to resolve the dispute.
“We want to say to the ESB that these farmers are sticking to their guns,” he said. “If the farmer wants it (the pylon) pushed away from his house, fine. If a farmer wants it put underground, fine. They have to sit around a table and talk to us,” he said.
Mr Burke insisted that the local landowners’ concerns are reasonable and focused on the well-being of their families and locals.
The ESB has declined to comment because issues related to the matter are still before the courts.
Ralph Riegel
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2006/08/23/talks-over-windfarm-power-line-row-start/