New planning bid for 24-metre telecom mast in Glasson
A company which was refused planning permission earlier this year for the installation of a large telecommunications mast in Glasson has lodged a new planning application for a similar project in the same area.
In July, Westmeath County Council turned down a planning application from On Tower Ireland Ltd for the the erection of a 27-metre telecommunications mast at Pearsonbrook, about a mile from Glasson village.
The proposed project had attracted significant opposition in the area, with two meetings being organised locally in relation to it, and seventeen objections to the planning application being submitted by residents to the county council.
The local authority outlined a number of grounds for refusing the development in July, including that the "height, scale and location" of the proposed structure would be "visually incongruous" and would "detract" from the Lough Ree area of high amenity.
On Tower Ireland Limited sought to appeal the council's decision to An Bord Pleanála, but according to the planning board's website its appeal was lodged on August 7 and was deemed "invalid" because it was late.
Last week, however, a new site notice was erected at Pearsonbrook, Glasson, indicating that the company intends to lodge a fresh planning application for a 24-metre telecommunications structure there.
The site notice was dated Tuesday, October 29, and it stated that the proposed development would consist of "a 24 metres monopole telecommunications support structure carrying antennas, dishes, remote radio units (RRUs), associated equipment."
It also said the work on site, if approved, would include, "ground-based equipment cabinets, GPS, fencing, gantry poles, cable ladder, cable tray, concrete plinths and all associated site development works for wireless data and broadband services".
Consultancy firm Entrust Ltd, with an address at Oranmore Business Park in Galway, was listed on the site notice as agent for the developer.
The planning application was received by the council on Tuesday of this week, November 5, and a decision is due to be made on it by January 8 next.