Planning board reverses council decision on mast
An Bord Pleanála has granted planning permission for a mast in the centre of Belturbet, despite Cavan County Council deciding the development should not go ahead.
Eircom had applied to build the 21m high mast at its exchange off Fairgreen Road in the town. Work would see the removal of a 10.5m wooden pole on the site and its replacement with the mast, twice its height.
Cavan County Council rejected the application saying “the scale and design of the proposed telecommunications structure would have an adverse impact on the visual and residential amenities of the area”.
It also said the development would set an “undesirable precedent for future development" in the area and would be contrary to the County Development Plan.
Eircom appealed that decision to An Bord Pleanála, claiming that, as it does not already have a mast in Belturbet, this development was needed in order to provide sufficient coverage:“The pandemic has underlined the need for good connectivity. Belturbet is one of a number of towns wherein such connectivity is not available in their centres, thereby blighting their socio-economic development prospects.”
It said a three-storey building to the south west of the site would “partially screen” the mast but admitted it would be “fully visible” from the north east.
In its submission to the board, Eircom said a height of 21m is required due to the topography of the area, with an 18m mast insufficient to reach all of the required area. Vodafone already operates from the water tower in Belturbet, with emergency service radios also supported at that site. However, Eir said that site would not provide sufficient coverage.
In his report, ABP inspector Hugh D. Morrison said views of Belturbet from the N3 and R197 roads include the towers of both the Church of Ireland and Catholic Church, as well as the water tower and the three-storey building located nearby. He said he was not persuaded by Eir’s claim the proposed mast would not appear taller than the church tower.
“I remain to be persuaded that the applicant’s statement that its proposal would appear lower than this tower would be borne out in practice.
“In the light of the foregoing, the prospect exists that the proposal would encroach significantly upon the setting of the tower and steeple, which presently enjoy an unrivalled prominence on the skyline.”
Mr Morrison recommended ABP reject the development primarily as it would, in his view, “interfere with the historic townscape of Belturbet in a manner that would detract from the character of the two major churches in the town”.
He also said Eir had not shown that the mast could be located at other sites in the town.
“The applicant has not convincingly demonstrated that the selected site, which is close to apartments and a school, would be the only site available to it.”
However, the board decided to grant approval to the mast, despite the decision of Cavan County Council and the recommendation of its own inspector.
In a decision published last Thursday, the board said:“It is considered that the proposed development would not seriously injure the visual or residential amenities of the area and would not seriously injure the character or setting to the nearby protected structures and would, therefore, be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”
It describes the plan as “highly suitable” and located in an “appropriate location” as it would replace the existing structures on the water tower and is sited at an existing exchange. It also highlighted the potential to increase coverage for both mobile and broadband services.
It granted approval subject to six conditions, including that no advertising be fixed to the structure and that all proposed finishes and colour schemes be approved by the county council’s planning office.
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