SEAT is one of a number of Pressure groups that have been set up across the North East of Ireland to protest at the building of the North- South Interconnector. But who are they? Why are they campaigning so hard to stop these pylons?
When the news broke that Eirgrid and NIE were proposing this interconnector through the fields and countryside of the border counties, John Woods knew that there was quite a problem. These new pylons were going to be erected close to his home in Madden. It was then that he felt a pressure group was needed to challenge these proposals, and to represent the local people who would be affected by these plans.
“The group was set up in June 2007 when the proposals for the interconnector were made known. We are a cross community group that have come together to voice our concerns at the overhead power lines from the parishes of Derrynoose to the Moy.”
Mr Woods and Willy Anderson, a local farmer from Killylea and a member of the Farmers Union are the spokesmen for SEAT during any negotiations with NIE. The issue has already been raised in Stormont with all MLA’s opposing the idea of an overhead interconnector.
The route of the interconnector has been made known, and it is estimated that between five thousand and eight thousand people will be living in the one kilometre radius.
SEAT has been meeting up with local councillors in recent months, including a residents meeting with SDLP MLA Dominic Bradley. One of the main topics of these meetings has been looking at scientific studies that apparently show the dangers of living near these power lines.
“At one meeting Doctor Robert Coghill presented the latest scientific background on over head power lines. The results were startling: Living 500 metres from these pylons, the chances of a child contracting cancer is doubled. NIE are proposing a distance of 200 metres distance from the pylons.”
There has been more than one pressure group formed since the plans have been made public. A group called North East People against Pylons (NEPP) is also prominent in campaigning in the Republic of Ireland.
“We have worked closely with NEPP with regards this issue. They are campaigning for exactly the same thing that we are campaigning for so it’s vital we stay together on this.”
A recent protest against the proposed pylons in Bective Abbey, County Meath drew in excess of two thousand people. That in itself shows to John woods that people are prepared to get their voice heard on the pylon issue.
“We went down to the protest in Bective Abbey. Over 2000 people turned up which shows that people do not want these overhead pylons on their land.”
When the news broke that Eirgrid and NIE were proposing this interconnector through the fields and countryside of the border counties, John Woods knew that there was quite a problem. These new pylons were going to be erected close to his home in Madden. It was then that he felt a pressure group was needed to challenge these proposals, and to represent the local people who would be affected by these plans.
“The group was set up in June 2007 when the proposals for the interconnector were made known. We are a cross community group that have come together to voice our concerns at the overhead power lines from the parishes of Derrynoose to the Moy.”
Mr Woods and Willy Anderson, a local farmer from Killylea and a member of the Farmers Union are the spokesmen for SEAT during any negotiations with NIE. The issue has already been raised in Stormont with all MLA’s opposing the idea of an overhead interconnector.
The route of the interconnector has been made known, and it is estimated that between five thousand and eight thousand people will be living in the one kilometre radius.
SEAT has been meeting up with local councillors in recent months, including a residents meeting with SDLP MLA Dominic Bradley. One of the main topics of these meetings has been looking at scientific studies that apparently show the dangers of living near these power lines.
“At one meeting Doctor Robert Coghill presented the latest scientific background on over head power lines. The results were startling: Living 500 metres from these pylons, the chances of a child contracting cancer is doubled. NIE are proposing a distance of 200 metres distance from the pylons.”
There has been more than one pressure group formed since the plans have been made public. A group called North East People against Pylons (NEPP) is also prominent in campaigning in the Republic of Ireland.
“We have worked closely with NEPP with regards this issue. They are campaigning for exactly the same thing that we are campaigning for so it’s vital we stay together on this.”
A recent protest against the proposed pylons in Bective Abbey, County Meath drew in excess of two thousand people. That in itself shows to John woods that people are prepared to get their voice heard on the pylon issue.
“We went down to the protest in Bective Abbey. Over 2000 people turned up which shows that people do not want these overhead pylons on their land.”
