Mast near scenic Laois village appealed as local resident says human rights are being violated

An appeal against the decision to grant planning permission for a 24m telecommunications mast near a scenic Laois village has been lodged by a local resident who claims his human rights will be violated if the development goes ahead. 

Laois County Council granted Vantage Towers Limited  permission for the structure along with a 1.2 metre high raised foundation, associated antennas and dishes at the site in the townland of Morette which is 2.2km south of Emo. The company was also granted permission to remove the existing 15 metre mast and replace it with the bigger structure.

 
An appeal has now been lodged with An Bord Pleanála by William Keegan, Dublin Road, Morette. 

In his letter of appeal Mr Keegan claimed the decision was granted without any consultation with affected residents, despite the fact that this tower is positioned "dangerously close" to his home. 

He claimed the approval process "failed to properly assess the real impact this expansion will have on my family and the surrounding community, as the planning application contained serious misrepresentations and omissions that concealed the true extent of its consequences", he said. 

"This structure is visible from every front-facing room in my home and is so close it feels as though it is inside our property. The expansion will only intensify this, further diminishing our quality of life and creating an even greater visual and environmental burden," Mr Keegan said in the appeal. 

The appeal outlines health and safety concerns, traffic and road safety risks and it also argues that there is no justification for the expansion.

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Mr Keegan said the decision to grant planning permission raises serious human rights concerns in relation to the right to respect for private and family life, home and correspondence. 

"If necessary I will escalate this case to the European Court of Human Rights and other relevant bodies should An Bord Pleanála fail to uphold basic residential protections," said Mr Keegan who also requested an oral hearing. 

"I urge An Bord Pleanála to prevent the construction of this oversized, unnecessary and harmful development and to uphold fairness, transparency and property planning principles," he added. 

In their application to the local authority Vantage Towers Limited outlined that to provide sufficient 4G services to a wider area a new structure with the increased height is required. A Technical Justification for the development was submitted to the local authority and these documents indicate that the proposed development is required by Vodafone. They said this is due to inadequate infrastructure in the wider area and the need to fulfil current and future demand as the area has a deficiency in 4G and 5G coverage. It is further stated  that the proposed development and particularly the increased height of the infrastructure on  site will rectify coverage issues, substantially improving 4G and 5G connectivity.

Laois County Council granted planning permission with eleven conditions attached.  An Bord Pleanála are due to make a decision on the development by June 11, 2025.