Council refuses permission for 19-metre telecommunications structure in Moate
Westmeath County Council has refused permission for a proposed telecommunications support structure with an overall height of almost 19 metres in Moate.
Towercom Limited had sought permission for the project at the eir Exchange at Clara Road in the Killeenboylegan townland in Moate.
It was proposed to erect a 15m high telecommunications monopole support structure (18.97m overall structure height to top of single omni antenna) carrying antennas, dishes and associated telecommunications equipment
The proposal included the removal of an existing ten-metre wooden pole with emergency services equipment to be relocated onto the new support structure.
The council, in a decision issued this week, said it considered that the proposal “in the absence of clear justification and by reason of its height, location and proximity to houses at lower ground levels in the vicinity, would have an overbearing impact and be visually intrusive and would seriously injure the amenities of the area”.
The company had said the application was lodged to secure important services for local residents, business and tourism.
It said it would provide a marked improvement in Vodafone's coverage in the town, and would enhance services for the emergency services.
The application was supported by letters from Vodafone and Tetra Ireland, who provide emergency services, and whose existing equipment would be relocated from the existing wooden pole to the proposed increased height structure.
It said the application would address Vodafone’s requirement to enhance 4G services and to provide 5G services for the town of Moate and the immediate surrounding area.
Residents of a nearby estate, Cluaín Duilleog, immediately adjacent to the west, lodged an objection to the proposal.
The submission by Cluain Duilleog Residents cited issues including the potential repercussions on the health and safety of the local residents, the impact on visual amenity, the devaluation of their homes and the environmental impact.
A submission on behalf of the Friends of the Irish Environment said that an application for the same site “for more or less the same development” was refused by both Westmeath County Council and An Bord Pleanála in 2023.
The applicants argued that the difference was that the current application has a single Tetra Omni antenna on the top of the 15 metre high monopole compared to a three antennas attached to a omni support steelwork.