THE Irish Aviation Authority has been given planning permission for the replacement of boundary/perimeter fences at two of its buildings on Woodcock Hill with new 2.4metre high, pallisade fences.

A letter which accompanied its two planning applications stated, “Having reviewed the option of replacing the existing fence with an identical type, our Safety and Security people have recommended that the existing fence be replaced with a more secure type fence to prevent the risk of unauthorised entry to the site with the possibility of injury to the trespassers and damage to the critical air navigational aids, which, if damaged, will affect operations in Irish airspace.

“The specialist equipment located on site is not easily repaired or replaced in a hurry.

“In order to prevent this happening, we are proposing to remove the existing fence and gate and replace it with a green plastic coated 2,400mm high palisade fence and gate.”

It said that this would allow it to meet it obligation to ensure that all air navigation assets are secure.

“This proposed fence will allow for the secure long term future communication developments on this site as it evolves to meet the navigational/communications needs of aircraft using Irish controlled airspace.”