Approval granted for controversial 24-metre telecom mast in Glasson

A plan for a 24-metre telecommunications monopole in Glasson, which was previously refused permission by Westmeath County Council, has now been given the go-ahead by An Bord Pleanála.

The project is being planned by the Dublin-based On Tower Ireland Limited at a site in Pearsonsbrook, about a mile from Glasson village.

When the plans were lodged with the council last November they attracted several objections from local residents, while councillors Aengus O'Rourke and Frankie Keena also made representations expressing concern about the suitability of the proposed site for the development.

The council refused permission for the project in January, citing its "height, scale and location", as well as its potential to detract from the status of the "Lough Ree area of high amenity" where it would be situated.

The developer appealed the decision to An Bord Pleanála, and a report by an inspector for the board recommended upholding the planning refusal, citing traffic safety issues at the junction onto the L-1437 from Sweep Road.

However, the planning board decided at the end of May to give the project the green light, saying it was satisfied the traffic management plan submitted by On Tower Ireland would "ensure safety at the road junction" during the construction period.

The board also concluded that the development would "contribute to the roll out of broadband services in accordance with national, regional, and local objectives".

This was the second planning application submitted by On Tower Ireland for the site at Pearsonsbrook, after a proposal for a 27-metre telecommunications mast there was refused permission last year.