ABP reverses decision on Ballyjamesduff mast

The planning appeals board has reversed the decision of Cavan County Council and gone against the recommendation of its own inspector to approve planning permission for a new mast in Ballyjamesduff.

An Bord Pleanála (ABP) considered the plans after telecommunications company Eircom appealed the Council’s decision to refuse permission.

The company had applied to build an 18m high mast at its exchange on Granard Street in the town. The site is described as being in the “backlands” of the town.

A number of masts are on the site already including an 8m pole with telecommunications equipment attached, another 10m wooden pole and electricity poles for overhead lines. All will remain on site.

Cavan County Council refused the application in May as it was “considered that the scale and design of the proposed telecommunications structure would have an adverse impact on the visual and residential amenities of the area” and would set an undesirable precedent for future development of this nature.

It also found it would be contrary to the County Development Plan which says “masts will only be permitted in towns and villages of the county when accompanied by satisfactory proposals for dealing with dis-amenities and incompatible locations”.

The local authority said alternative sites may be available for use in collaboration with other providers.

There were no objections to the original planning application, which was refused.

Eircom appealed that decision to the planning appeals board, which published its decision in recent days.

In its application it says Ballyjamesduff is a known coverage weak spot for Eir’s 4G coverage and three other locations - at Lisdonnish, Ramonan and at the town’s water treatment plant - were considered but found not to adequately cover the town centre area.

It also submitted a letter of support from Vodafone, which said it intends to locate some of its equipment on the mast if it is permitted.

In her report, ABP planning inspector Elaine Sullivan recommended planning permission again be refused for the mast.

“It is considered that the proposed development would result in a significant and negative visual impact on the town centre and the wider area. It would also be contrary to national guidance… which seeks to restrict such development from towns and villages.” She also said it would have “an overbearing impact” on the houses adjoining the site and would be “visually obtrusive” when viewed from any nearby open spaces.

“The proposal would therefore have a negative impact on the existing residential amenity, would not be in accordance with the ‘Existing Residential’ zoning for the site and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”

In its order, the ABP board said it was rejecting the recommendation from its inspector and the decision made by Cavan County Council and approving the project.

It said a number of matters were considered when coming to the decision, including guidelines issued to local authorities in dealing with applications for telecommunications structures, the objectives of the Cavan Development Plan, the decision of the Council and the report of the inspector.

It said “subject to the conditions” attached to the granting of permission, it “would achieve the objectives set out in national policy and the Cavan Development Plan”.

It described the location for the mast as a “highly suitable and appropriate location for the purposes of providing 4G coverage in the area”. It also said there are proposals to “co-locate” equipment from other companies, which is in line with national policy.

Six conditions were attached to the granting of planning permission. These include that it not be used for advertising, the proposed colour scheme should be approved by the council, a red light should be placed on top and that it should be removed from site when no longer required.