Plans to erect 18-metre high communication structure at pub

PLANS to erect an 18-metre high communications structure in Rathcoole have been lodged with South Dublin County Council.

Eircom Ltd, which trades as Eir, is seeking to construct the free-standing communications structure with associated antennae, dishes and ground equipment at the Rathcoole Inn on Main Street, Rathcoole.

All associated site development works forming part of the Eircom Ltd existing telecommunications and broadband network make up the remainder of the proposed development.

Located in the existing yard of the Rathcoole Inn, the compound will be used two or three times annually by the operators for accessing their equipment and will, therefore, have no impact on traffic off the main road.

The site already houses an existing Vodafone 18.5m stayed mast, which Eir use in providing coverage to their customers in the area but is “unable to accommodate this recent upgrade”.

According to the application, the current site configuration for Eircom “does not provide adequate indoor service for high-speed mobile broadband”.

As they continue to rollout their 3G and 4G network, Eircom requires to upgrade their site in Rathcoole to ensure that the area does not continue to suffer a “severe deflation in mobile voice and data services”.

They pointed out how with workers moving to a hybrid model of working, the “next step is providing upgraded coverage” and stated that it was “crucial” that Rathcoole be provided with adequate indoor 3G and 4G and broadband coverage.

The owner of the land which houses the Rathcoole Inn, Kilowin Inns Ltd has given consent to agent Focus Plus Ltd on behalf of Eircom Ltd to submit the planning application for the proposed telecommunications structure.

Interestingly, the application highlights how telecommunications connectivity is “now regarded as the fourth utility service, after water, electricity and gas”.

The planning application was submitted on July 13, with a decision due on September 6.