An Bord Pleanála upholds refusal for 60ft high telecommunications mast in Athlone
An Bord Pleanála has upheld a local authority’s decision to refuse planning permission for a near 60ft high telecommunications mast in Athlone.
The independent planning appeals body reaffirmed Westmeath County Council’s decision to reject plans by Dublin based firm Vantage Towers Ltd to erect the 18m long support structure at Cloghanboy and close to the midlands town’s Regional Sports Centre.
Planning officials had initially decided to turn down the plans last July owing to a lack of evidence in support of the application that showed there was a need for the structure to be installed at its proposed site.
Equally, the council said the development, if granted would go against its own 2021-2027 county development plan and lead to an “unnecessary proliferation” of similar type infrastructure in the locality.
Local planning officials said its proposed location by virtue of its siting and design would, if permitted, result in a “physical scar on the landscape” and thereby significantly detract from the visual amenities of the area.
Vantage Towers, however, in a bid to overturn the council’s ruling, tabled an appeal with An Bord Pleanála.
In its ruling, the planning body backed the council’s initial decision, stating it was “not satisfied” there was a demand for such a structure.
And, like its local authority counterparts, An Bord Pleanála officials said the development would lead to an “unnecessary proliferation” of similar type infrastructure in the area.
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