Mast is ‘slap bang, right in the middle of housing estate’
By Mary Dennehy
A COUNCIL decision to grant a licence for a 15-metre telecommunications mast in the middle of a Tallaght housing estate has this week faced criticism.
Last September, South Dublin County Council granted a licence for a 15-metre high monopole structure comprising of a street pole, antenna and associated cabinet at the edge of an open space in Tymon North.
The new grey utility cabinet is to facilitate the installation of the 15-metre mast, with resident's homes in the background
The proposed development was granted to Cignal Infrastructure Ltd, which applied for a licence for the installation of a mast at the junction of Tymon North Park and St Aongus Mews.
Applicants no longer need to apply for planning permission to erect overground electronic communications infrastructure, which are exempted developments that can be carried out under licence.
This amendment to legislation has resulted in members of the community and elected representatives being unaware of the installation of masts in their areas.
Residents in Tymon North looked out their sitting room windows last Friday to see a new, large grey utility cabinet, which they later discovered is to facilitate the installation of a 15-metre mast.
Speaking with The Echo, one resident said: “It’s in the direct eye line of my front sitting room and bedroom window.
“However, there’s been no communication, no public consultation…not even a notice about works in the area.”
An artist impression of the 15-metre mast. This drawing was submitted by Cignal as part of its application.
The resident added: “The planning department in South Dublin County Council need challenging over their serious lack of regard or respect for people’s homes, estates and quality of life when making these decisions.”
The Echo contacted South Dublin County Council this week and asked if planners visited the site in Tymon North.
In a reply to The Echo, the council said: “All Section 254 licence proposals for telecommunication structures on, over or along the public road are assessed by the Planning Authority and similar to a planning application, a site visit is carried out.
“Site inspections are carried out prior to the decision date.”
When asked about consultation with residents, the council said that licence applications under Section 254 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 ‘do not include a public consultation period as part of the decision making process’.
Last November, concerns around the licence process for telecommunication masts and the lack of consultation with communities was discussed in council chambers by elected representatives.
The issue was on the agenda after residents in Kingswood expressed their frustration over the installation of a mast in their area – with no prior notification to locals.
Consultation
Tallaght Central Fianna Fail councillor Teresa Costello has visited the location in Tymon North and spoken with residents.
“The residents [in Tymon North] do not want to hold back progress, but the location is not right…it’s slap bang, right in the middle of a housing estate”, Cllr Costello said.
“There should be more consultation with residents, they know the area best and could suggest an alternative [site].
“But there was no consultation with anybody, residents or elected reps.
“If something like this is going outside your home, you should be told.
“There’s loads of people out volunteering and cleaning up that green area and then to just come along and throw a mast in, it’s not right.”
Residents plan to appeal the decision with An Bord Pleanala.
In a comment to The Echo, Cignal Infrastructure Ltd said: “Cignal works with local authorities and network providers to identify coverage blackspots in particular areas, with sites being selected based on their suitability to fully address the issues identified.
“The proposed infrastructure is fully compliant with all health and safety and planning regulations, and in line with South Dublin County Council’s County Development Plan.
“Cignal has engaged with several local residents to discuss the plans in Tallaght and we remain open to further dialogue to provide additional information and reassurance.”
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