CO WICKLOW residents have claimed a breakthrough after the Office of Public Works confirmed it would no longer seek planning permission for commercial telecommunications equipment on a radio mast at Bray Garda station.
The OPW built a 32-metre mast at the Garda station early in 2007 claiming a planning exemption for such equipment. Under a deal with the State’s mobile operators 02, Vodafone and 3, the OPW then allowed mobile phone antennae, cabinets and cables to be installed there.
The mast, located in the southwest corner of the Garda station grounds, replaced a smaller version at the northern end of the property, which had carried only Garda equipment.
However, local residents expressed outrage that the new, higher mast was within metres of their homes and asked Bray Town Council to determine whether the structure was exempt from planning permission.
“We were told by the council that in fact it was exempt,” said Michael Murray who, along with others, decided to challenge that view. They sought a determination from Bord Pleanála which decided the structure was not, after all, exempt development.
The board found that while the State did agree a planning exemption for Garda masts, and mobile phone companies were allowed to benefit from this exemption, the exemption had limitations.
It ruled that under Telecommunications Antennae and Support Guidelines for local authorities published in 1996, telecommunications infrastructure should be located where possible in industrial estates or on industrially zoned land. The guidelines said that “only as a last resort and if the alternatives are either unavailable or unsuitable, should free-standing masts be located in a residential area or beside schools”.
Following the determination by the board, the telecom companies applied to Bray Town Council for planning permission, but this was refused on the grounds the structure would be visually obtrusive and intrusive.
The telecoms companies appealed the decision to Bord Pleanála but the planning inspector found that while sharing was generally acceptable, it was not acceptable to “load” one mast “if there is potential to adversely impact the amenities of the properties in the vicinity”.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Showing posts with label planning and telecommunications. Show all posts
Showing posts with label planning and telecommunications. Show all posts
Wednesday, 15 December 2010
Sunday, 26 September 2010
Call for mobile mast ban near schools
LEITRIM COUNTY Council is to ask Minister for the Environment John Gormley to introduce legislation outlawing the construction of telecommunications masts within 500m of houses and schools.
Members of the council were furious at An Bord Pleanála’s decision to give the go-ahead to 3G Ireland for two 30m masts at Aughacashel and Carrigallen.
Following legal advice, council members voted not to pursue a court challenge against the planning board’s decision on the two masts, which they felt breached the county development plan.
Leitrim county manager Jackie Maguire told councillors at a specially convened meeting that the council’s legal advice was that it did not have a case.
Fianna Fáil councillor Francis Gilmartin said it appeared the county development plan was merely “aspirational” and that the planning appeals board was not bound by it. After being informed they did not have legal basis to seek a judicial review, 16 councillors voted not to pursue the challenge while three voted to proceed with it.
Mr Gilmartin said the council would appeal to every local authority and to all TDs and Senators to join them in lobbying Mr Gormley to amend the legislation so masts could not be built within 500m of schools or houses.
“He is a Green Minister so I think he should do this. He has done a lot of things I would not agree with – as far as I am concerned human safety is a lot more important than bats or hares,” said Mr Gilmartin.
He said he knew many people were annoyed with him and his party colleagues for not pursuing the court challenge, “but there is no point asking for legal advice and then ignoring it”.
A spokesman for 3G Ireland insisted there were no safety risks, and the “non-ionizing radiation” was equivalent to that emitted by a baby monitor.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Members of the council were furious at An Bord Pleanála’s decision to give the go-ahead to 3G Ireland for two 30m masts at Aughacashel and Carrigallen.
Following legal advice, council members voted not to pursue a court challenge against the planning board’s decision on the two masts, which they felt breached the county development plan.
Leitrim county manager Jackie Maguire told councillors at a specially convened meeting that the council’s legal advice was that it did not have a case.
Fianna Fáil councillor Francis Gilmartin said it appeared the county development plan was merely “aspirational” and that the planning appeals board was not bound by it. After being informed they did not have legal basis to seek a judicial review, 16 councillors voted not to pursue the challenge while three voted to proceed with it.
Mr Gilmartin said the council would appeal to every local authority and to all TDs and Senators to join them in lobbying Mr Gormley to amend the legislation so masts could not be built within 500m of schools or houses.
“He is a Green Minister so I think he should do this. He has done a lot of things I would not agree with – as far as I am concerned human safety is a lot more important than bats or hares,” said Mr Gilmartin.
He said he knew many people were annoyed with him and his party colleagues for not pursuing the court challenge, “but there is no point asking for legal advice and then ignoring it”.
A spokesman for 3G Ireland insisted there were no safety risks, and the “non-ionizing radiation” was equivalent to that emitted by a baby monitor.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Tuesday, 8 September 2009
Talks to resolve mast row ‘constructive’
EFFORTS are continuing to resolve a stand-off between a community in Kerry and providers of a controversial telecommunications mast which has been given planning permission by An Bord Pleanála.
Objectors to a 15m-high mast in Annascaul have met with contractors acting for Eircom in the hope of finding a solution.
Residents who have been urging the Threefold company, agents of Eircom, to erect the mast on a site away from the village, described the meeting as constructive.
"They wanted to meet the company face to face so as to explain the situation to them," said local FG councillor Seamus Cosai Fitzgerald.
Local protests escalated last month when people filled in foundations that had been dug for the mast on a site in the picturesque Dingle Peninsula village. Work has since ceased at the site.
The residents say the mast will completely dominate the village skyline and could also create health risks.
Kerry County Council refuses planning for masts under its rule which bans such masts within 1km of houses, schools and other residential buildings. However, such decisions are regularly overturned by An Bord Pleanála.
The latest example is in the Knocknagoshel area where the O2 mobile phone company has successfully appealed against a county council refusal to retain a 30m mast for a five-year period.
The mast is located less than 1km from a number of houses, but bord inspector Brendan McGrath said there was no rationale for the council’s mast policy on health and safety grounds.
"According to the council planner’s report, the nearest dwelling is 300m from the mast. The restrictive council policy is not supported by the national guidelines, or by any other authoritative planning guidance," he said.
Mr Grath also pointed out an inspector had previously concluded there was no health risk with a mast at the site.
In its appeal, the O2 company claimed the council’s policy was unduly restrictive and "not scientifically justified".
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Objectors to a 15m-high mast in Annascaul have met with contractors acting for Eircom in the hope of finding a solution.
Residents who have been urging the Threefold company, agents of Eircom, to erect the mast on a site away from the village, described the meeting as constructive.
"They wanted to meet the company face to face so as to explain the situation to them," said local FG councillor Seamus Cosai Fitzgerald.
Local protests escalated last month when people filled in foundations that had been dug for the mast on a site in the picturesque Dingle Peninsula village. Work has since ceased at the site.
The residents say the mast will completely dominate the village skyline and could also create health risks.
Kerry County Council refuses planning for masts under its rule which bans such masts within 1km of houses, schools and other residential buildings. However, such decisions are regularly overturned by An Bord Pleanála.
The latest example is in the Knocknagoshel area where the O2 mobile phone company has successfully appealed against a county council refusal to retain a 30m mast for a five-year period.
The mast is located less than 1km from a number of houses, but bord inspector Brendan McGrath said there was no rationale for the council’s mast policy on health and safety grounds.
"According to the council planner’s report, the nearest dwelling is 300m from the mast. The restrictive council policy is not supported by the national guidelines, or by any other authoritative planning guidance," he said.
Mr Grath also pointed out an inspector had previously concluded there was no health risk with a mast at the site.
In its appeal, the O2 company claimed the council’s policy was unduly restrictive and "not scientifically justified".
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Monday, 9 February 2009
An Bord Pleanála overrules own inspector to let Annascaul mast go ahead
RESIDENTS of an historic west Kerry village have vowed to continue their campaign against an Eircom mast after an Bord Pleanála overruled its own inspector to give the project the green light.
The people of Annascaul, birthplace of legendary Antarctic explorer Tom Crean, said they cannot afford to instigate a judicial review of the decision.
But they say they are determined to keep up their campaign of opposition to the proposed 15-metre mast, earmarked for a site in the heart of the village.
The fact that the planning appeals board gave the green light to Eircom for the development, even though a board inspector recommended that permission be refused, has angered local residents.
Senior planning inspector Robert Ryan said the mast would be contrary to proper planning for the area, would seriously injure the amenities of property in the vicinity, and would be "visually obtrusive" in the village.
A spokesman for a group of objectors said they were shocked and disgusted by the board’s decision.
"There was no consultation with the local community and we don’t believe enough research was carried out to find a more suitable location for the mast," he said. The mast is due to be located beside Eircom’s existing exchange in the grounds of the former Church of Ireland.
Possible health hazards and devaluation of property are among the reasons for objections by local people.
Kerry County Council refused planning permission for the mast last April under its policy of not allowing such masts within a kilometre of houses, other residential buildings, hospitals and schools.
Annascaul, in the Dingle Peninsula, is the birthplace of Antarctic explorer Tom Crean in whose memory a monument has been erected in the village.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
The people of Annascaul, birthplace of legendary Antarctic explorer Tom Crean, said they cannot afford to instigate a judicial review of the decision.
But they say they are determined to keep up their campaign of opposition to the proposed 15-metre mast, earmarked for a site in the heart of the village.
The fact that the planning appeals board gave the green light to Eircom for the development, even though a board inspector recommended that permission be refused, has angered local residents.
Senior planning inspector Robert Ryan said the mast would be contrary to proper planning for the area, would seriously injure the amenities of property in the vicinity, and would be "visually obtrusive" in the village.
A spokesman for a group of objectors said they were shocked and disgusted by the board’s decision.
"There was no consultation with the local community and we don’t believe enough research was carried out to find a more suitable location for the mast," he said. The mast is due to be located beside Eircom’s existing exchange in the grounds of the former Church of Ireland.
Possible health hazards and devaluation of property are among the reasons for objections by local people.
Kerry County Council refused planning permission for the mast last April under its policy of not allowing such masts within a kilometre of houses, other residential buildings, hospitals and schools.
Annascaul, in the Dingle Peninsula, is the birthplace of Antarctic explorer Tom Crean in whose memory a monument has been erected in the village.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Thursday, 26 June 2008
Plan for telecom mast rejected
Planning permission for a 30-metre high telecommunications mast in an area of natural beauty in Co Mayo has been refused by An Bord Pleanála.
Galway-based Elevation Limited appealed to the board following Mayo County Council's decision to refuse permission for the structure at Carrowmoney, Partry, south Mayo. The site, at Carrawina is one kilometre from Lough Carra and Lough Mask.
A total of 24 letters, and a petition with over 350 signatures, were received objecting to the original application to Mayo County Council.
The objections related to the adverse visual impact on landscape, potential health hazards, inaccurate details, proximity to archaeological sites, intrusive impact on nearby residential properties, contravention of county development plan policies and devaluation of properties.
Elevation Limited sought to justify the mast on the basis of an alleged lack of mobile and broadband provision in the area.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Galway-based Elevation Limited appealed to the board following Mayo County Council's decision to refuse permission for the structure at Carrowmoney, Partry, south Mayo. The site, at Carrawina is one kilometre from Lough Carra and Lough Mask.
A total of 24 letters, and a petition with over 350 signatures, were received objecting to the original application to Mayo County Council.
The objections related to the adverse visual impact on landscape, potential health hazards, inaccurate details, proximity to archaeological sites, intrusive impact on nearby residential properties, contravention of county development plan policies and devaluation of properties.
Elevation Limited sought to justify the mast on the basis of an alleged lack of mobile and broadband provision in the area.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Monday, 26 March 2007
Report of the Expert Group on Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields
The Government have published the report of the Expert Group on the Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields.
The Report examined a wide range of issues in relation to potential health effects of Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) - including those produced by mobile telecommunications. The report answers many questions commonly raised by the public in relation to the health effects of electromagnetic fields.
The Expert Group have concluded that - 'So far, no adverse short or long-term health effects have been found from exposure to the radiofrequency (RF) signals produced by mobile phones and base station transmitters. RF signals have not been found to cause cancer'.
The current responsibilities of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural resources in relation to the health effects of EMF will become the responsibility of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government from 1st May 2007.
Furthermore, the Government decided that a single state agency be established to deal both with ionising radiation and non-ionising radiation. This will be achieved by extending the statutory powers of the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) to include responsibility for matters relating to non-ionising radiation.
The details of implementation of the new mandate for the RPII will be presented to Government for approval in due course by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, following detailed consultation with other relevant Government Departments and Agencies.
Government have also agreed to establish a national research programme to undertake further scientific research in Ireland on the health effects of exposure to EMF. This research programme will build expertise in Ireland and contribute to global knowledge.
The Report examined a wide range of issues in relation to potential health effects of Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) - including those produced by mobile telecommunications. The report answers many questions commonly raised by the public in relation to the health effects of electromagnetic fields.
The Expert Group have concluded that - 'So far, no adverse short or long-term health effects have been found from exposure to the radiofrequency (RF) signals produced by mobile phones and base station transmitters. RF signals have not been found to cause cancer'.
The current responsibilities of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural resources in relation to the health effects of EMF will become the responsibility of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government from 1st May 2007.
Furthermore, the Government decided that a single state agency be established to deal both with ionising radiation and non-ionising radiation. This will be achieved by extending the statutory powers of the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) to include responsibility for matters relating to non-ionising radiation.
The details of implementation of the new mandate for the RPII will be presented to Government for approval in due course by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, following detailed consultation with other relevant Government Departments and Agencies.
Government have also agreed to establish a national research programme to undertake further scientific research in Ireland on the health effects of exposure to EMF. This research programme will build expertise in Ireland and contribute to global knowledge.
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