Residents shut out as latest Renmore phone mast plan adds to growing citywide controversy

The warning comes as a new application for a 15-metre pole at Elm Park in Renmore has been submitted, bringing the issue into sharp focus once again.

Meanwhile, construction work is underway on a separate 18-metre telecommunications mast at Rowan Avenue in Renmore, close to Nolan Park and St James GAA facilities.

It follows recent controversy over telecommunications masts in Knocknacarra, Ballybane and Dangan.

The lack of any requirement to notify communities of mast applications under Section 254 licensing “beggars belief”, according to Independent Cllr Terry O’Flaherty, who is demanding a change in the law.

“We need to get the message out and stop causing upset to local people who feel frustrated that they have no say in these matters,” said Cllr O’Flaherty.

“People should be made aware of such structures being planned for their area.

“Currently, there is no legal requirement on councils to notify the public via site or newspaper notices, nor is there a provision to accept public submissions on such applications, which in my opinion beggars belief.”

She said the law must be changed to ensure local communities have an opportunity to make their views known.

“We really need a change in the law so that the same planning rules apply to telecommunications masts as any other structure,” she said.

“But in the meantime, Galway City Council should take steps to let people know what is going on in their area, even if they are not legally obliged to.”

She said that “at a minimum” a notice should be put up where a mast is planned.

Cllr O’Flaherty said she had made the Renmore Residents Association aware of the application, which is being dealt with under Section 254 licensing.

“I felt people living in Elm Park in Renmore/Fuschia Drive/Park should become aware of an application being lodged for a telecommunications mast or pole in their area,” she said.

There is growing disquiet in the locality as a separate mast is currently being built at Rowan Avenue.

Galway City Council initially refused the application, which was submitted under Section 254 of the Planning and Development Act, but that decision was overturned on appeal in November 2024, with approval granted subject to conditions.

In its decision, An Coimisiún Pleanála said that the mast “would not be visually intrusive or seriously obstructive to amenities” or nearby properties.

According to Dee McFadden, Chair of the Renmore Residents Association, they are currently awaiting feedback from residents in relation to the issue.

“The Renmore Residents Association (RRA) is aware of the developments regarding telecommunications mast applications in Elm Park and Rowan Avenue and has informed its members of the situation,” said Ms McFadden.

“The RRA is currently awaiting feedback from residents and liaison with Galway City Council before determining any further steps it may take on behalf of the community.

“The Association will continue to keep residents informed as further information becomes available.”

A citywide issue:

So far this year, three licences have been granted for telecommunications masts in the city, according to Cllr O’Flaherty.

These include an 18-metre mast at Carragh Hill in Knocknacarra, approved in April; an 18-metre pole on the N59 in Dangan, approved in May; and a 15-metre street pole at Castlepark Road in Ballybane, also approved in May.

Cllr O’Flaherty described how residents in Carragh Hill, Knocknacarra, were left out of the loop in relation to a similar proposal.

“The first that residents in Carragh Hill, Knocknacarra, knew anything about an 18 metres high mast in their area was when the contractors arrived at the location to start the works, sparking the current wave of protest action,” she said.

The latest application in Renmore is for the installation of a 15-metre telecommunications pole on the western side of Elm Park, at its junction with Fuschia Drive.

Drawings submitted with the application show a street pole carrying three telecommunications antennas, along with an associated equipment cabinet.

Labour Cllr Níall McNelis said there is a lack of trust within communities over the issue and agreed that a new consultation process is needed.

“We all realise that we have a problem with coverage,” he said.

“However, you need a consultation process with residents and find a solution. There is a lot of mistrust with the way companies have ramrodded this through.

“There needs to be more communication from the companies involved. And there must be a way that Galway City Council can identify suitable sites on public owned land.”

Adding to the controversy, Cllr Alan Cheevers (FF) has also demanded a review of the Section 254 licensing system.

He has called into question why a telecommunications mast in Doughiska has not attracted the same political attention as the Carragh Hill development in Knocknacarra.

Cllr Cheevers said the Doughiska structure is located close to Merlin Primary and Secondary Schools and at the entrance to a large residential community.

“I do not believe that this is an appropriate location for a telecommunications mast,” said Cllr Cheevers.

“We have two schools within a couple of hundred yards of this location, and residents quite rightly want to know that proper consideration and scrutiny has been given to the siting of telecommunications infrastructure in their community.”

Cllr Cheevers said the legislation needs to be examined, particularly the use of Section 254.

“There needs to be a proper review of Section 254,” he said.

“Communities should not feel that major infrastructure proposals are effectively going under the radar or that they have limited opportunities to raise legitimate concerns about the location of such infrastructure.”

He also wants the Doughiska mast removed.

“I am now calling on the relevant Ministers, Galway West Oireachtas representatives and Galway City councillors to get behind a campaign to have the Doughiska mast removed and to properly examine the concerns being raised by the local community,” he said.

“Doughiska deserves the same focus and attention as any other part of Galway.

“If politicians are prepared to campaign on telecommunications infrastructure in the west of the city, then they should also be prepared to stand with the people of Doughiska when they raise concerns about infrastructure in their own community.”

In the meantime, the latest Renmore application remains under consideration by Galway City Council.

Unlike ordinary planning applications, the Section 254 licensing process does not provide for public submissions or objections before a decision is made.However, once the council has made its decision, residents can appeal it to An Coimisiún Pleanála.

Concerned residents and the wider community have been asked by the Renmore Residents Association to share their views by emailing [email protected].

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme