EIRGRID proposed constructing a HVDC Converter Station which is approximately three times the size of Croke Park with potential to extend this in future. The impact of such a site will be hugely detrimental to every aspect of our daily lives.

The health risk alone is an unknown with many doctors, environmentalists and indeed our own government members opposing such a site within close proximity of a bustling tourist town. The site will impact everyone financially with property prices already impacted by the mere proposal, local business, the growing and thriving tourism aspect to the area, farming and the health impact on livestock and pets not to mention the lack of current infrastructure for such a large scale complex.

This proposal is being slipped in beneath our noses, we have until August the 31st to formally raise our objections so that they are registered in the evaluation report before confirmation of design. I welcome everyone to register YOUR objection to this monstrosity being built on our doorsteps. It is our future under threat and it will impact everyone in the surrounding areas of Carrick on Shannon. Please sign the petition as we are still a democratic Country where we the people have a say in our own future.

We the undersigned homeowners,residents and concerned community members hereby formally object to the construction of a converter station (or stations) within the six zones identified by EIRGRID near Flagford, Carrick on Shannon as possible locations for this facility,due to (but not limited to) the following:

1. The adverse effect on the local community
2. The possible health risks
3. The effect of noise pollution emitted from the facility on human health and wellbeing
4. The effect of noise pollution emitted from the facility on livestock and animals
5. The negative obtrusive visual impact of the facility
6. The negative impact on tourism and recreation
7. The adverse effect the facility will have on property prices
8. The possibility of a proposed second Converter Station and future developments
9. The risk to air and water quality
10. The risk to nature and ecology
11. The sterilisation of land close to the facility
12. Traffic Congestion

We believe that any area where people reside and engage in normal everyday life is not an appropriate location for the construction of a Converter Station and we set out hereunder the reasons for our opposition to, and formal rejection of, and the proposed zones:

1. Housing in these zones/noise pollution
It was stated by EIRGRID in the preliminary evaluation report of July 2014 that HVDC Converter Stations are large complex facilities that generate some noise and as such the distance to any housing should be maximised yet the immediate area contains occupied houses. We are aware from having spoken to people residing in the area of the HVDC East West inter-connector Converter Station in Co. Meath that the facility emits a constant buzzing sound which was verified on a visit to the area by some of our community members. The noise emitted from the converter station in Co. Meath can be heard from more that one kilometre away from the station, with the intensity of noise levels varying throughout the day and night. As a community we object to a converter station in areas where people reside due to this noise pollution and the negative effects it will have on peoples health and well-being. We furthermore fear for farming livestock and domestic pets subjected to such constant noise pollution.

2. Housing in the zones / Negative Visual Impact
It is generally accepted that Converter Stations are massive and visually unappealing facilities comprised of warehouse type buildings some of which are up to 25 metres high, alongside heavy ancillary equipment. The areas identified by EIRGRID as possible locations for the construction of a facility visually similar to an industrial estate are wholly unstable in that they are rural residential areas. The impact on normal recreational activities enjoyed by the community such as walking, cycling, hiking, shooting and fishing (four lakes and rivers in the area) will be detrimental.

The possible locations are visible on the route from Roscommon / Athlone to Carrick on Shannon which is a well-known and popular tourist destination and the visual impact will have a negative effect on tourism. The obtrusive visual impact will not only effect normal everyday amenity of the community but will also effect property prices in the immediate area and the surrounding locality. Indeed, we object to EIRGRID identifying our area as a possible location for the converter station, and putting same into the public domain, as this has already reduced the value of property in the proposed zones. Furthermore, it is stated by EIRGRID that the zones identified must be capable of accommodating a second convertor station in the future. We state that the zones identified are not suitable areas for a converter station or any such future proposed developments due to the negative visual impact on our rural residential landscape.

3. House in the Zone / Geology, Soil, Livestock, Nature, Air & Water
Due to the nature of a facility where huge amounts of electricity are converted from DC to AC with massive electric fields / magnetic fields / radiation, we object to its construction in our area on the basis of the potential negative impact on local geology and soil, ecology and nature. We are concerned about possible future sterilisation of the land and the adverse impact on livestock. We also object on the basis that this construction will affect our habitual and migrating birds, fish, flora and fauna, habitats of mammals and insect and our eco-systems, all of which are vital to life and to successful agriculture in our area. We object also on the basis that drinking water in the area, much of which comes from domestic wells bored underground may also potentially be detrimentally affected by the nature, construction and operation of such a facility.

4. Existing infrastructure does not exist to facilitate such a large site.

For all of the above reasons, we the undersigned hereby formally object and will resist any attempt by EIRGRID to construct a Converter Station within any of the six zones identified in the Flagford area, where people reside and should be entitled to continue to reside in the future, without threat to their health, wellbeing, community, livestock, land and environment.