by Louise Doyle

PLANS for a gas substation close to Lurgybrack National School given the green light by Donegal County Council have been appealed to An Cóimisiún Pleanála by a resident, on the grounds of the potential impact she says the development will have on children, farming operations and the environment.

Donegal County Council granted planning permission to EirGrid PLC in August, giving the green light to the proposed plans for a period of 10 years for the development at the existing Electricity Supply Board (ESB) Networks 110 KV Letterkenny Substation at Listillion.

Proposed plans comprise southward extension of the existing ESB Networks 110 KV substation compound by 0.9HA, and the construction of a 110 KV gas insulated switchgear building to replace the existing 110KV air insulated switchgear substation.

Plans also consist of the construction of five 110 KV line cable interface masts to the south and south-west of the existing AIS substation compound and proposed replacement GIS building.

Geraldine Browne, who has a farm on the adjacent land of the proposed development, is a dissenting voice on the grounds of the detrimental impact she says it will have on the locality and wider area.

Mrs Browne had lodged an objection to Donegal County Council over the proposed plans, citing her fears about the project’s scale, environmental risk, and community aspects. However, she said she feels her concerns “fell on deaf ears” with Donegal County Council after it gave the green for the development.

Feaver Planning and Environmental Consultants, acting on behalf of Mrs Browne lodged a written appeal with An Cóimisiún Pleanála,

It states: “Mrs Geraldine Browne is a resident and landowner, whose home and farmland lie close to the site. Her family have lived and farmed here for generations.

“The development would introduce a large industrial building (82.5m x18.5m x18m), multiple masts, and heavy construction activity lasting up to a decade in a rural-residential setting.

“It would fundamentally alter the landscape, threaten biodiversity, and impose prolonged nuisance and health risks on the community.”

The submission examines a number of elements in its grounds of appeal, including the inadequate assessment of SF6 greenhouse gas use.

“The applicant claims that the GIS building has been ‘future proofed’ to accommodate SF6-free alternatives yet seeks permission to proceed with SF6-based equipment at the outset. Operational climate impacts must be assessed and mitigated at the consent stage, not left to an unspecified future retrofit.

“Furthermore, no robust alternatives assessment was presented by the applicant. Commercially available SF6 free GIS technology now exists, and is being rolled out across Europe. By failing to consider these options, the application is not only environmentally deficient but also technologically outdated.”

The appeal also outlines concerns relating to flood risk, landscape and visual impacts in a high scenic amenity area, construction duration and a lack of public consultation.

“The applicant’s Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) amd Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) are vague and generic.

“Encroachment of 110KV lines and the substation’s dominance will sterilise significant tracts of farmland, displace future business opportunities, and undermine the viability of the family’s livelihood and way of life.”