Decision made on Mayo town mobile phone mast

COMMUNITY NOTES: BALLYHAUNIS - WESTERN PEOPLE (AUGUST 19 EDITION)

An Coimisiún Pleanála has refused planning permission for a mobile phone mast in Ballyhaunis, overturning an earlier decision by Mayo County Council to grant permission.

As reported in this column in February, Towercom Ltd - a company building communications towers around Ireland - had proposed to construct a 24-metre monopole in Beech Park, Ballyhaunis, in place of a 20-metre lattice tower which had been granted full planning in 2022.

“This [20-metre] facility was not constructed as it was found to be inadequate to deliver the required level of reception quality,” Towercom stated.

An Coimisiún Pleanála’s refusal of permission follows an appeal against the tower brought by the Friends of the Irish Environment, which has taken actions against similar proposed masts across the country.

In its report explaining its decision, An Coimisiún Pleanála noted the “height and scale [of the mast] would be out of character with residential setting in the vicinity and would have an overbearing effect on residential properties in close proximity”. 

The mast would “seriously injure the residential amenities in the area contrary to zoning objectives for the site and would therefore be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area”.

The planning body also noted that the mast developer hadn’t provided sufficient technical detail in respect of alternative sites or on why a co-location option is not available. There was no evidence of “consultations with other operators” on sharing of sites, noted An Coimisiún Pleanála.

Towercom claimed the new mast would improve mobile phone coverage and would “additionally be available for use by the emergency services”.

The company did not respond to questions as to whether or not it would appeal the decision by An Coimisiún Pleanála.