Partry mast refused

Permission for 30-metre Partry mast refused after appeal

Emer Gallagher

PLANNING permission for a 30-metre high telecommunications mast in Partry has been refused by An Bord Pleanála.
Galway-based company Elevation Limited appealed to An Bord Pleanála (ABP) following Mayo County Council’s decision to refuse permission for the structure at Carrowmoney.
The site, in an area known locally as Carrawina, covers 0.3 hectares and is situated in a raised corner of an open field used for grazing.
The site is located 500 metres from the N84 Ballinrobe Road and one kilometre from Lough Carra and Lough Mask with the Partry Mountains as the backdrop.
Elevation Limited sought to justify the need for the mast on the basis of an alleged lack of mobile and broadband provision in the area, while also pointing out that it would create an up-to-date facility for mast-sharing for future providers.
The application was originally submitted to the planning authority on June 12, 2007 by Elevation Towers Limited, to construct a 30-metre high telecommunications support structure carrying antennae and link dishes, together with associated equipment containers, security fence and access track.
A total of 24 letters, along with a petition with over 350 signatures, were received objecting to the application on the basis of adverse visual impact on landscape, potential health hazards, inaccurate details, proximity to archaeological sites, intrusive impact on nearby residential properties, contravention of County Development Plan policies and devaluation of properties.
Planning permission was refused by Mayo County Council on the grounds that it would have a detrimental impact on the vulnerable lakeshores, as well as creating an obtrusive feature and depreciating the value of property in the area.
The submissions and the inspector’s report were considered at a board meeting of ABP held earlier this month and it was decided to refuse permission generally in accordance with the inspector’s recommendation.
“It is considered that, by reasons of its height and exposed and partially unscreened location in the surrounding sensitive rural landscape, the proposed 30-metre high telecommunications support structure would be visually obtrusive and would seriously injure the amenities and character of the area, including the residential properties on the local roads to the north and south and the N84 Ballinrobe to the east of the site and the sensitive landscape between Lough Mask and Lough Carra,” stated the decision from ABP.
The decision also stated that the development would be contrary to the provisions of the Mayo County Development Plan, 2003 – 2009 and the Telecommunications Antennae and Support Structures Guidelines for Planning Authorities issued by the Department of the Environment and Local Government in July, 1996 and would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.