Appeal lodged after Sligo council rejects application 36m mast at Rosses Point

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

A application seeking planning permission to erect a 36m high structure carrying antennas and dishes at Creggyconnell, Rosses Point, which was rejected by Sligo County Council has been appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála by Hibernian Cellular Networks Ltd.

Objections had been lodged to the application by three individuals – Aine Nic Amhlaidh, James Clarke and Steve Dolan.

Ms Nic Amhlaidh submitted her objection based on, “Serious legal, planning and proceduaral defects associated with the planning application.”

In his submission Mr Clarke stated, “The development would be visually intrusive and inappropriate in a rural setting, would adversely affect rural character and residential amenity.” He also expressed the opinion the application “Fails to adequately consider alternative, less harmful solutions.”

In his submission opposing planning permission Mr Dolan expressed the opinion, “The application is fundamentally deficient, contrary to national and local planning policy, and inconsistent with the principles of proper planning and sustainable development.”

The application lodged with Sligo County Council last November was rejected with the Planner’s Report noting, “Three submissions have been received and which in summary raise the following issues:• Given its height and location, the development will appear as a permanent visually dominating feature on the rural and coastal landscape, appear incongruous, be visually intrusive, result in skyline intrusion.

The development will result in a negative impact on the amenity of nearby residents

If approved the development would set an undesirable precedent for similar developments.

The application fails to demonstrate adequate consideration of co-location or alternatives.

The submitted Natura Impact Statement (NIS) fails to meet statutory and jurisprudential standards.

The NIS methodology is inadequate and relies on generic mitigation measures.

The NIS contains inadequate analysis of in-combination and cumulative effects.”

Having taken all aspects of the application into consideration, the Planners Report stated, “Having regard to the proposed location of the telecommunications support structure on an elevated and exposed site and in close proximity to Scenic Routes and Visually Vulnerable landscapes as per the landscape classifications in the CDP, and given the height, scale and design of the structure, it is considered that a satisfactory justification has not been provided for the proposed structure and in this location.

"It is also considered that the proposed development would be visually obtrusive and would adversely injure the visual amenities of the area. The proposed development would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area and would set an undesirable precedent for other similar developments in the area.”

An Comisiún Pleanála have indicated a decision is expected to be reached in relation to the appeal by June 15.

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.