Go-ahead for new mobile mast near Offaly ringfort
Offaly County Council granted permission for a 30-metre high telecommunications mast despite numerous objections from local people concerned about impact on a nearby ringfort and amenity walk in a wood.
COUNCIL planners have given the go-ahead for a telecommunications mast near Kinnitty which had been the subject of numerous local objections.
Vantage Towers sought permission to erect the 30-metre mast at Kiltubbrid Island, Kinnitty and the application was backed by Vodafone who told Offaly County Council it will be needed for the rollout of mobile wireless broadband services.
A group of local residents engaged a Dublin-based planning consultant, RW Nowlan & Associates, to prepare an observation in which they set out their difficulties with the proposal.
More than 40 names, including many couples living in the area, were in the observation which listed general concerns, mentioned the presence of a national monument and referred to “excessive height”.
The site in Kiltubbrid Island townland is 4km from Kinnitty village and 11km from Birr in what the residents said is a “tranquil rural location”.
“The arguments put forward by the operators are seen largely as opportunist and that the subject site is not the most appropriate location for this proposed mast,” the document submitted by the residents' planning consultant said.
“In addition, we would note that the applicant has held no pre-planning consultations with the local community, and hence the strong response with the number of people seeking to raise their concerns in this submission.”
The residents pointed out that a ringfort is located 360 metres from the mast and the proximity of the communications tower “would have major implications for the [overall] setting which the monument is located in”.
They said it is the council's policy to deter development that would have potentially damaging impact on the historical character and cultural and social importance of the area.
They referred to the visual impact and the presence nearby of Knockbarron Woods: “It is considered that what is proposed will have major implications for the loss of amenity and enjoyment to the Knockbarron Woods for locals and also tourists, and is directly contrary to Development plan stated policy.”
The residents said that because the site for the mast is at an elevation of between 120 and 130 metres, the total height will be up to 160 metres.
They said the developer “has made no effort to locate a mast/tower in an area that would provide cover by way of landscaping but has proposed to locate a 30-metre tower in an elevated site with very little thought for the impacts it will have on the surrounding landscape”.
One resident also referred to the impact on bees and pollination.
Responding, the mast company said telecommunications coverage in Kinnitty village and surrounding areas is inadequate and with 3G being switched off, the new structure is the only way to enhance 4G coverage and introduce 5G.
The site is the “only option” and the developer said there will be no “significant impact” on the ringfort and concerns about impact on the Knockbarron Woods eco walk 1.5km away are “unfounded”.
Thirty metres was said to be the lowest height at which Vodafone could secure “the coverage and line of sight needed” in the target area of Kinnitty.
“The height of 30m will enable the introduction of more modern technologies, such as 4G and 5G, in the Vodafone network and is available for other operators.”
The council granted permission on December 7 and if there is to be an appeal to An Bord Pleanala, it must be lodged within four weeks of that date.