Appeal over Quin mast refusal

DEVELOPERS looking to build a 24-metre mast in Quin have offered to reduce the height of the structure as part of an appeal against the council’s decision to refuse permission.

After a significant local opposition, and multiple objections, County Planners refused an application from Vantage Towers for the structure at a site at Quinnville South.

The planning authority said that the proposed mast would materially contravene the zoning of the site and adversely affect Quin as an Architectural Conservation Area (ACA).

In addition, planners noted national guidelines stating that free-standing masts should only be located, as a last resort, in residential areas or close to schools. County Planners added that the mast development would also impact negatively on a medieval settlement area.

In an appeal lodged earlier this month with An Bord Pleanála, Vantage Towers has now offered to reduce the height of the mast to 21 metres.

The company said that this is in order “to uphold the attractiveness and integrity of Quin as a heritage centre while at the same time providing Vodafone cellular coverage to those who live and visit Quin”.

The company outlined its reasons for choosing the site and the need for improved services, in Quin, from Vodafone and other operators. It said the mast would be capable to providing 5G services benefitting “workers, gamers, businesspeople, students and all in between”.

In respect of the ACA, Vantage Towers stated that while “such areas should be recognised and important historical buildings protected and preserved, this should not be at the cost of future development and economic growth”.

The company added that the location of the proposed mast would still ensure unobstructed views of sites such as Quin Abbey. The developers argued that the site was the “only realistic location” in terms of “technological and planning requirements”.

They also acknowledged the location of the medieval settlement, but said works including that on the existing water tower would already have impacted on it.

Vantage Towers also contended that the mast meets the objectives of The National Broadband Plan, The National Development Plan and policy documents including Our Rural Future and the National Action Plan in response to Covid-19.

Concluding their detailed appeal, the company said, “It is submitted that the interests of Quin are better served by providing the proposed structure”.

According to An Bord Pleanála, the appeal is due for decision on April 26.