Eircom were refused permission by the council for telecommunications equipment at The Purty Central
Eircom lodge appeal against refusal for telecommunications equipment at Purty
EIRCOM has lodged an appeal against South Dublin County Council’s decision to refuse permission for telecommunications equipment at The Purty Central in Clondalkin.
As reported in The Echo last May, the council stated the equipment would be “visually obtrusive” in its decision to refuse planning permission.
The planning application was lodged by Eircom Limited last March for the installation of telecommunications equipment including a 3.7-metre pole-mounted tri-sector antenna and dish.
The proposal also included RRU’s (remote radio units), a cabinet, GPS beacon and proposed access route and all associated development works on the rooftop.
It is noted in the application that the purpose for the installation of the equipment would have been for high-speed wireless data and broadband services.
On May 20, the council decided to refuse permission for the installation of the structure and also referred to the proposed structure in the context of the surrounding village.
Having regard to the prominent location of the subject site, the proposed development would be visually obtrusive and result in an incongruous feature that would detract from the visual amenity and sensitive character of the Architectural Conservation Area (Clondalkin Village),” said the council.
The local authority added that it would contravene policy and objectives of the County Development Plan, which allows for telecommunications equipment subject to the protection of sensitive landscapes and visual amenity.
“The development, if permitted, would set an undesirable precedent for other similar developments, which would in themselves and cumulatively, be harmful to the amenities of the ACA and surrounding area and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area,” the council concluded.
On June 13, Eircom lodged an appeal where it outlined that there was “a technical need” for the telecommunications equipment in that location.
“It is of importance for the functioning of [Clondalkin] for the area to ensure that there is access to high-speed wireless data and broadband,” wrote the appellant.
They also noted in the appeal that the subject building is on the outskirts of the architectural conservation area and is “neither an old building nor is it a protected structure”.
A decision on the appeal has not yet been made by An Bord Pleanála.
