Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 September 2005
1412 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will consider issuing guidelines to the ESB networks to avoid placing pylons next to houses or schools and regarding the preference of laying cables underground rather than overground to protect the environment and the country’s panorama. [25761/05]
View answerPlanning permission is required for the construction by any electricity operator of overhead transmission or distribution lines for conducting electricity at a voltage higher than 20kV. Issues such as impact on surrounding development or on the landscape would be considered when applications for permission for such lines are made.
The laying underground of such lines or the connection of any premises to the network is exempted development. As a matter of course, most new residential or industrial developments are now connected through underground ducts. In addition, under the urban and village renewal measure of the regional operational programmes 2000 to 2006, my Department provides funding to city and county councils towards the cost of undergrounding existing overhead cables in urban and village areas as part of streetscape enhancement works. It is not proposed to issue specific guidelines on this matter.
