CONTENTS (list of example
objections)
1 & 2 Objection on the basis of sustainable development
3 Over-bearing nature of the pylons and adverse visual impact
4 Farm family life ruined and welfare of animals affected
5 Family life, tourism in the area and sports being affected
6 Objection on the basis of the local camogie/gaa club
7 Objection from a local teacher in a school
8 Objection from a local farmer
9 Objection from a local mother raising health concerns
10 Objection on the grounds of visual impact, overbearing nature of the pylons from family home & views of the pylons from local roads
11 Objection on the grounds of proximity of the pylons to family home and garden
12 Objections on the grounds of traffic and construction disruption to local area
13 Objection on the grounds
of proximity to family home, health affects, impacts on heart pacemaker,
adverse visual impact
14 Sample objections
in point format
15 BLANK TEMPLATE (TO
BE USED AT WORK-STATIONS ON OPEN NIGHTS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE WRITING INDIVIDUAL
OBJECTIONS ON THE NIGHTS)
1 & 2
Objection on the basis of sustainable development
Divisional Planning Manager My address:
Planning Service Headquarters
Millennium House
17-25 Great Victoria Street
BELFAST
BT2 7BN
Date:
Re: Planning application for North-South 400 kv Tyrone –Cavan inter-connector with pylons and associated site works
Ref no. O/2009/0792/F
Dear Sir/Madam,
I
_________________ would like to submit my objection to this planning
application as recently submitted to Planning Service.
This development proposal is
totally unacceptable for a rural landscape and will be visually obtrusive
in the immediate and wider landscape.
This development proposal is
contrary to planning policy as defined under PPS 21. Specifically,
as stated in the objections of draft PPS 21 under paragraph 3.2 of this
prevailing policy document I would like to highlight the following objectives
of draft PPS21 which sets out the over-arching policy objectives for
development proposals in the countryside:
This development proposal as
submitted is clearly contrary to the above over-arching objectives of
draft PPS21.
I trust this letter of objection
will be acknowledged by Planning Service and the planning application
be refused in due course.
1 & 2
Objection on the basis of sustainable development
Divisional Planning Manager My address:
Planning Service Headquarters
Millennium House
17-25 Great Victoria Street
BELFAST
BT2 7BN
Date:
Re: Planning application for North-South 400 kv Tyrone –Cavan inter-connector with pylons and associated site works
Ref no. O/2009/0792/F
Dear Sir
I
_________________ would like to submit my objection to this planning
application as recently submitted to Planning Service.
This development proposal is
totally unsustainable and unacceptable for a rural landscape.
As Planning Service may be aware sustainable development is the only
acceptable means of developing our precious landscape and for ease of
reference I would like to point out the following definition of sustainable
development:
"Sustainable development
is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising
the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (Brundtland
Commission).
As Planning Service may be aware this development proposal clearly compromises our ability to meet our current needs in the immediate and wider locality affected by this development proposal. Our local rural way of life will be decimated particularly in relation to the following:
- our natural heritage that is our landscape will be blighted by the massive pylon towers;
- our ability to reside in our rural dwellings will be removed due to health effects;
- our ability to farm our landscape will be decimated along the route of the pylon scheme;
- natural bio-diversity will be damaged to an unacceptable degree.
As detailed above these are
only some of the issues which clearly show this development proposal
by NIE is unsustainable.
I trust this letter of objection
will be acknowledged by Planning Service and the planning application
be refused in due course.
3 Over-Bearing
Nature of the Pylons and adverse visual impact
Divisional Planning Manager My address:
Planning Service Headquarters
Millennium House
17-25 Great Victoria Street
BELFAST
BT2 7BN
Date:
Re: Planning application for North-South 400 kv Tyrone –Cavan inter-connector with pylons and associated site works
Ref no. O/2009/0792/F
Dear Sir
I
_________________ would like to submit my objection to this planning
application as recently submitted to Planning Service.
This development proposal is
totally unacceptable in the vicinity of my family home and parish Church.
Both mine and my family’s quality of life will be totally destroyed
via this development proposal due to the over-bearing nature of the
development proposal.
The pylon scheme as proposed
will be visible for miles in my locality and will adversely the scenic
landscape and visual amenity which the local rural area currently has.
I trust this letter of objection
will be acknowledged by Planning Service and the planning application
be refused in due course.
4. Farm Family life ruined
and welfare of animals affected
Divisional Planning Manager
Planning Service Headquarters
Millennium House
17-25 Great Victoria Street
BELFAST
BT2 7BN
Date:
Re: Planning application for North-South 400 kv Tyrone –Cavan inter-connector with pylons and associated site works
Ref no. O/2009/0792/F
Dear Sir
I
_________________ would like to submit my objection to this planning
application as recently submitted to Planning Service.
This development proposal is
totally unacceptable in the vicinity of my family home and my farm land-holding.
Both mine and my family’s quality of life will be totally destroyed
via this development proposal due to the over-bearing nature of the
development proposal.
Also, as I farm this landholding
the proposed development will compromise my ability to farm my lands.
My animal welfare will be adversely affected and the production of my
farm will therefore be reduced.
Furthermore, the land-take
associated with this development proposal will divide my farm holding
and inhibit the transfer of animals and machinery within my farm.
Overall, this development proposal
will result in an economic loss to my farm and adversely affect the
local economy.
I trust this letter of objection
will be acknowledged by Planning Service and the planning application
be refused in due course.
- Family life, tourism in the area and sports being affected
Divisional Planning Manager My address:
Planning Service Headquarters
Millennium House
17-25 Great Victoria Street
BELFAST
BT2 7BN
Date:
Re: Planning application for North-South 400 kv Tyrone –Cavan inter-connector with pylons and associated site works
Ref no. O/2009/0792/F
Dear Sir
I
_________________ would like to submit my objection to this planning
application as recently submitted to Planning Service.
This development proposal is
totally unacceptable in the vicinity of my family home and parish Church.
Both mine and my family’s quality of life will be totally destroyed
via this development proposal due to the over-bearing nature of the
development proposal.
The pylon scheme as proposed
will be visible for miles in my locality and will adversely the scenic
landscape and visual amenity which the local rural area currently has.
The development proposal by
NIE is also totally unacceptable on the grounds of adversely affecting
the tourism in my local area. As you may be aware, this locality
is used for the Road Bowls Tournament and the development proposal by
NIE will destroy this local and traditional sporting activity as people
will be afraid to congregate in the vicinity of this proposed pylon
route.
I trust this letter of objection
will be acknowledged by Planning Service and the planning application
be refused in due course.
6. Objection on the basis
of the local camogie/ GAA/ Football Club
Divisional Planning Manager My address:
Planning Service Headquarters
Millennium House
17-25 Great Victoria Street
BELFAST
BT2 7BN
Date:
Re: Planning application for North-South 400 kv Tyrone –Cavan inter-connector with pylons and associated site works
Ref no. O/2009/0792/F
Dear Sir
I am writing to you about the proposed
Interconnector which will be built from Co. Tyrone, through Co. Armagh
and into Co. Monaghan by NIE and EirGrid. Now that NIE have applied
for planning permission to construct this proposed line through this
countryside we feel that we must object to this proposal.
I am the secretary of ………………
Camogie Club in …………….. and we are totally opposed to this
scheme because our club members, from very young children to adults,
approximately …. in total plus mentors and supporters often travel
to Derrynoose to play camogie matches or to watch football and hurling
matches at their local GAA pitch which is in close proximity to the
proposed overhead line. Our members and the parents of our young
members feel under threat from this line as we have to travel very close
to it and indeed under it as it crosses the main Derrynoose Road.
The GAA pitch is too close and we would not feel safe playing thereas
Electro-Magnetic Fields will be carried by the prevailing winds to our
playing pitch and associated facilities.
We feel that it will be impossible
for our club to exist in Derrynoose in the future if this overhead power
line goes ahead as planned by NIE. Although we realise that this
would be both detrimental to the Derrynoose Camogie Club and their excellent
facilities at the GAA pitch and Community Centre we will not put the
lives of our club members at risk from such a high voltage power line.
A strategic objective of “First Steps Towards Sustainability: A Sustainable
Development Strategy for Northern Ireland” May 2006 DOE is “to create
an attractive/high quality environment where people feel safe and which
provides the conditions for health and social well being”. Unfortunately
our club members and associated members would not feel safe in Derrynoose
if this proposal is permitted.
We fully support the whole Derrynoose
community who wish to have this power line underground so as to protect
the health and well being of everyone in Derrynoose and everyone who
may visit Derrynoose.
Yours faithfully,
7. Objection
from a local teracher in the school
Divisional Planning Manager My address:
Planning Service Headquarters
Millennium House
17-25 Great Victoria Street
BELFAST
BT2 7BN
Date:
Re: Planning application for North-South 400 kv Tyrone –Cavan inter-connector with pylons and associated site works
Ref no. O/2009/0792/F
Dear Sir
I am writing to you about the proposed
Interconnector which will be built from Co. Tyrone, through Co. Armagh
and into Co. Monaghan by NIE and EirGrid. Now that NIE have applied
for planning permission to construct this proposed line through our
countryside I feel that I must object to this proposal in the strongest
of terms.
I am a teacher in the local primary
school which is in close proximity to the route of the proposed line.
Our school I feel is under threat from these visually imposing pylons.
Who will want to send their children to a primary school which is in
close proximity to this proposed line? Our Lady’s & St.
Mochua’s PS is an integral part of our community and has an excellent
reputation well beyond Derrynoose. This line could adversely affect
the enrolment in our school & in turn this would seriously affect
my employment. Also as an employee within my place of work my
employers are responsible for my health & safety. The pylons
& proposed line directly create issues for me as an employee &
my employers.
Also within close proximity are our
local community centre, GAC centre & Little Acorns Playgroup.
These places are hives of activity throughout the week with children,
including my own, gathering for all types of sporting & educational
activities which promote health and social & emotional well being.
This proposed line would have a negative impact on these places with
parents not wishing to place their children in any danger or perceived
danger. The financial cost to these places is too great and particularly
as a number of them, Little Acorns & Community Centre were funded
through Big Lottery money. What a waste of valuable government
funding!
The government of Northern Ireland
is committed to conserving and protecting both the natural and built
environment. A strategic objective of “First Steps Towards Sustainability:
A Sustainable Development Strategy for Northern Ireland” (May 2006)
DOE is “to create an attractive/high quality environment where people
feel safe and which provides the conditions for health and social well-being”.
Equally one of the principal objectives of the Armagh Plan (2004) is
“to conserve and enhance the natural and man made environment”.
How can pylons between 28-42 metres
in height carrying 400 KV of electricity create and attractive &
high quality environment where people feel safe?
Whilst I am in favour of strengthening
the electricity supply of this island by undergrounding these high voltage
cables, I believe that this proposed overhead route is a form of “inappropriate
development”.
Yours faithfully,
8. Objection from a local farmer
Divisional Planning Manager My address:
Planning Service Headquarters
Millennium House
17-25 Great Victoria Street
BELFAST
BT2 7BN
Date:
Re: Planning application for North-South 400 kv Tyrone –Cavan inter-connector with pylons and associated site works
Ref no. O/2009/0792/F
Dear Sir
I am writing to you about the proposed
Interconnector which will be built from Co. Tyrone, through Co. Armagh
and into Co. Monaghan by NIE and EirGrid. Now that NIE have applied
for planning permission to construct this proposed line through our
countryside I feel that I must object to this proposal in the strongest
of terms.
I am a farmer who lives within the
proposed route of this high voltage power line and I am extremely concerned
about the adverse effect that this overhead power line will have on
my farm and my livelihood. I have been farming this land for ………
and this farm has been in my family for the last …………………
I object to this power line because
a pylon scheme of this nature, crossing over my land will essentially
sterilise the use of my farm land in its vicinity for my generation
and the future generations. It has also become apparent that farm
produce in the vicinity of pylons is not allowed to enter the food chain.
I have a farm of dairy cows – what is going to happen to my livelihood
if the milk cannot enter the food chain. I will be out of work
with no reasonable income!!!
The recent court case in France where
a farmer was paid compensation by an electricity company as the judge
ruled that the health problems associated with his livestock was due
to the close proximity of a 400 KV power line has only added to my deep
concern about this proposed line.
In addition, the proposed pylon scheme
may prevent me from developing my farm any further due to legitimate
planning grounds of not desiring to build a dwelling where there is
serious visual intrusion created by the pylons. Aside from extant
planning permissions for dwellings this can also extend to not being
able to put up farm buildings on land which is away from my house.
If this line goes ahead in its present
form I will be out of business and the land that has been in my family
for generations will be useless. In these economic times this
is a risk I am not willing or able to take.
Yours faithfully,
9. Objection from a local mother
raising health conerns
Divisional Planning Manager My address:
Planning Service Headquarters
Millennium House
17-25 Great Victoria Street
BELFAST
BT2 7BN
Date:
Re: Planning application for North-South 400 kv Tyrone –Cavan inter-connector with pylons and associated site works
Ref no. O/2009/0792/F
Dear Sir,
I am writing to you about the proposed
Interconnector which will be built from Co. Tyrone, through Co. Armagh
and into Co. Monaghan by NIE and EirGrid. Now that NIE have applied
for planning permission to construct this proposed line through our
countryside I feel that I must object to this proposal in the strongest
of terms.
I am the mother of young children,
living close to the proposed route for this line and I am extremely
concerned about the risk or even perceived risk to the health of my
children and my family. This line is being foisted upon me and
my family and it is a situation over which I have no control and over
which we have no choice.
I am not convinced that a non biased
and informed examination of the issues surrounding EMF exposure, for
example, has been undertaken seriously by NIE. The standard quotes
about safe limits etc from SAGE & WHO, in the face of other abundant
conflicting evidence does not satisfy me as a parent or member of the
public who apparently just has to put up with it.
WHO and HPA both agree that there is
a consistent statistical association in studies into the links between
unusually high EMF fields, which a 400 kv line would undoubtedly have,
and increased incidences of childhood cancers. My children are
placed in the minority group of “only 4 in 1000 children” which
is subjected to prolonged exposure as evidenced by Sir Richard
Doll. I do not want my children to be a statistic to anyone, including
NIE. Even Doll, notoriously sceptical about EMF exposure, feels
that further evidence is needed in this area.
One of the largest studies in this
area, Draper et all (2005) establishes a link with a doubling of incidence
of childhood leukemia for those children living within 600 metres of
high voltage power lines. Also Greenland and Sheppard (2000) state
there is an elevated incidence of childhood cancers with proximity to
power lines.
I could continue to write a three page
letter, if not more, in regard to the health issues and anxiety and
stress that this proposed line has brought to my family. I feel
that the motivating factor for NIE is economic and I strongly object
to a price being placed on safeguarding the health and well being of
my children and family. Mr. Clem Harvey of NIE, in his address
to Dungannon Council on Monday 11th February 2007 claimed
that the proposed overhead route could be “achieved at a cost we can
all afford”. I cannot afford the cost of this line to the health
of my children and the overall emotional health of my family.
That is a cost that no one could be expected to bear.
Further serious and unbiased examinations
of the whole health aspects of high voltage power lines and associated
risks must be undertaken before this line is given approval. Undergrounding
this line would in the long term be economically viable and have the
support of all those who live in the local communities.
Yours faithfully,
10. Objection on the grounds of
visual impact, overbearing nature of the pylons from family, home and
views of the pylons from local roads.
Divisional Planning Manager My address:
Planning Service Headquarters
Millennium House
17-25 Great Victoria Street
BELFAST
BT2 7BN
Date:
Re: Planning application for North-South 400 kv Tyrone –Cavan inter-connector with pylons and associated site works
Ref no. O/2009/0792/F
Dear Sir
I am writing to you about the proposed
Interconnector which will be built from Co. Tyrone, through Co. Armagh
and into Co. Monaghan by NIE and EirGrid. Now that NIE have applied
for planning permission to construct this proposed line through our
countryside I feel that I must object to this proposal in the strongest
of terms.
I live in Derrynoose in close proximity
to this proposed line and I feel that these overhead cables and associated
pylons will blight our beautiful landscape. Our farming landscape
has taken hundreds of years and much sweat and hard work by past generations
to mature to its current appearance and placing these pylons through
our countryside in Derrynoose is totally inappropriate for the rural
landscape and out-of-keeping with the established land use in Derrynoose.
Derrynoose is a rolling drumlin landscape with a variety of patchwork
of agricultural fields and these pylons will adversely affect them.
As I travel from Keady to my home in
Listrakelt I pass over what is locally known as “The Master’s Hill”.
Looking from the top of that hill, at present, I see before me the beautiful
rolling countryside leading to the historic monument of Listrakelt Fort.
If NIE’s proposal is accepted in its present form I will no longer
marvel at the beauty of the fort but rather the visual intrusion of
a 400 KV power line and the pylons which carry that line. These
imposing and overbearing structures will be to the forefront, destroying
an ancient and much loved monument.
The main Derrynoose Road is an arterial
route leading to Republic of Ireland and is used by school buses, local
people, business people, farmers, holiday makers, sports groups, match
goers to name but a few and this line will cross this route. Pylons
close to the road will be clearly visible daily to thousands of travellers.
Traffic on this route has already increased due to the new bypass at
Clontibret, which allows travellers to bypass Castleblaney on route
to the M1 southbound and it is set to increase further over the next
number of years. This is wholly unacceptable in modern day planning
and environmental assessment.
As my home is close to these overhead
lines they will be overbearing and adversely affect the residential
amenity of my dwelling curtilage. I feel that my family and I
can neither relax in my home or my garden as there is a threat, real
or indeed perceived, of adverse health effects. We have spent
a great deal of money in the last number of years on our garden with
a patio area for relaxation in the summer and ensuring that wildlife
is welcome through planting of native oak, beech, horse chestnut and
mountain ash, honeysuckle and other shrubs to attract bees and butterflies
and nurturing a native hawthorn hedgerow for birds etc. Pheasant,
foxes, hares, rabbits and even the ever shy badger have all been spotted
frequently in and around our garden. If this proposal goes ahead
I will no longer feel safe in my own home or garden and the area will
certainly become a danger rather than a sanctuary for the native wildlife
which we have done so much to nurture.
I feel that the only alternative to
this proposal is the undergrounding of this line so that this threat,
whether real or not, is minimised.
Yours faithfully,
11 Objection on the grounds
of proximity of the pylons to family, home and garden
Divisional Planning Manager My address:
Planning Service Headquarters
Millennium House
17-25 Great Victoria Street
BELFAST
BT2 7BN
Date:
Re: Planning application for North-South 400 kv Tyrone –Cavan inter-connector with pylons and associated site works
Ref no. O/2009/0792/F
Dear Sir
I
_________________ would like to submit my objection to this planning
application as recently submitted to Planning Service.
This development proposal is totally unacceptable in the vicinity of my family home and parish Church.
Specifically, I would like
to highlight the following:
- My dwelling has been constructed in 2006 and NIE and Planning Service are not even aware that my dwelling exists.
- Measurements as taken by NIE to ensure the proposed pylons are away from family homes have been non-existant as they are not even aware that my dwelling exists; this totally undermines the validity of both this planning application and EIS statement as my residence has been totally ignored by NIE and their ‘appraisal’ in the planning EIS is invalid in relation to taking account of the impact of the pylons on my family home
- My garden area associated with my dwelling is within 40 metres of the pylons proposed. Clearly, this small separation distance of the pylons from my home will destroy my residential amenity as I will not be able to reside in my home and enjoy my garden without living in constant fear for my health and mental sanity.
I trust this letter of objection
will be acknowledged by Planning Service and the planning application
be refused in due course.
12 Objections on the grounds
of traffic and construction disruption to the local area.
Divisional Planning Manager My address:
Planning Service Headquarters
Millennium House
17-25 Great Victoria Street
BELFAST
BT2 7BN
Date:
Re: Planning application for North-South 400 kv Tyrone –Cavan inter-connector with pylons and associated site works
Ref no. O/2009/0792/F
Dear Sir
I
_________________ would like to submit my objection to this planning
application as recently submitted to Planning Service.
This development proposal is totally unacceptable in the vicinity of my family home and parish Church.
Specifically, I would like
to highlight the following:
- The construction period for the pylon scheme is in excess of 2 years;
- Traffic generated by the construction stage of the proposal is to a scale that our local rural road will not be able to accommodate;
- Soils in the vicinity of the pylons will be contaminated by the proposed pylons as in excess of 400 cubic metres of concrete will be required to form a foundation for each pylon;
- Service roads to facilitate the proposal will scar the landscape and result in removal of extensive tracts of hedges and trees. These specific details have not been detailed in the planning application.
I trust this letter of objection
will be acknowledged by Planning Service and the planning application
be refused in due course.
13 Objection on the grounds
of proximity to family home, health affects, impacts on heart pacemaker,
adverse visual imapct
Divisional Planning Manager My address:
Planning Service Headquarters
Millennium House
17-25 Great Victoria Street
BELFAST
BT2 7BN
Date:
Re: Planning application for North-South 400 kv Tyrone –Cavan inter-connector with pylons and associated site works
Ref no. O/2009/0792/F
To whom it may concern,
I am writing
to object to the Tyrone Cavan interconnector.
The pylon line
will be approximately 60 metres from my house. It is becoming
clear from current international studies that there are health risks
from living near high voltage pylons. Evidence points towards
an association between exposure to magnetic/ electric fields and childhood
leukaemia, adult leukaemia, neurodegenerative diseases, miscarriage
and the list goes on. As the father of a young family I have grave
concerns with this proposed interconnector and in my view it would be
prudent to at least factor this into future decision making.
An additional
health concern I have is for my father who has a pacemaker/ defibrillator
fitted. He has been advised that he should not be beneath such
power lines for any length of time as exposure to the line could interfere
with this life saving device. This would inevitably mean that
he would be unable to visit our house or walk through our farm land.
A further concern
I have is in relation to the negative effect the presence of the pylons
will have on the value of my property, which NIE have made no offer
to compensate. It has been estimated that property price could
decrease from anywhere between 15% - 40%.
Consideration
has to be given to the natural beauty of the area I live in. I
could not think of anything more negative in terms of visual impact
this proposed line will have on our local community. The saying
goes; ‘first impressions last’, and going by this I firmly believe
that if this line goes ahead it will inevitably have a damaging effect
to the community.
- Undergrounding these cables eliminates all of the concerns I’ve mentioned.
- Consider that undergrounding these cables today will in the longer term be more cost effective.
Regards
Divisional Planning Manager My address:
Planning Service Headquarters
Millennium House
17-25 Great Victoria Street
BELFAST
BT2 7BN
Date:
Re: Planning application for North-South 400 kv Tyrone –Cavan inter-connector with pylons and associated site works
Ref no. O/2009/0792/F
Dear Sir
I
_________________ would like to submit my objection to this planning
application as recently submitted to Planning Service.
My reasons for objection are
due to the following: