Tag Archives: Vantage Towers

FLOODING concerns have prompted Clare County Council to seek Further Information (FI) from a company looking to build at 30-metre tower mast in the village of Quin.  Vantage Towers are making a second attempt to secure permission for the structure, after plans for a slightly smaller structure on a different site were turned down last year by both the Council and An Bórd Pleanála. The current application for a site at Quingardens is the subject of two objections and seven submissions of support, but County planners have now voiced their own concerns. The Council has given Vantage Towers six months to respond to three issues of concern: flood risk, the potential impact on bat habitats, and the access route to the site. In a letter requesting FI, the Council has noted that the site is located in an area identified in the County Development Plan as ‘Flood Zone A’. “Past flood events in the locality have come within 60m of …

A CHALLENGE to a bid to erect a 30 metre telecoms mast in Quin has come from a local heritage watchdog, who have lodged a strong objection to the development, on the grounds of its archaeological and visual impact.  Quin Heritage Group have made a submission on plans by Vantage Towers to develop the lattice tower mast at Quingardens, a location believed to contain a number of important archaeological sites. The group have told the Planning Authority that they are “acutely aware” of archaeological remains in the area. A map, included with the objection, highlights a number of of significant sites, which, according to Quin Heritage Group, represent “evidence of ringforts and fulacht fiadh”. “It is also important to point out a cilín (Children’s grave site) exists close to the proposed mast site that in no way should be compromised,” the objection stated. “We therefore deem it an unsuitable site to erect such a mast.” The objection, which is one …

DEVELOPERS proposing to build 41 new homes in Quin have given their backing to plans for a 30 metre telecoms tower, currently being considered by Clare County Council.  In September, Vantage Towers lodged a second set of plans for the structure, after failing to secure permission for a mast on another site in the village. Reaction to plans for the current site at Quingardens is mixed, judging by submissions made during the public consultation phase.  A submission from Datcha Construction, who are awaiting a decision next month on their plans for a new estate at Quingardens, is among seven that support the mast. Two objections were received, one from Quin Tidy Towns and another from Quin Heritage Group. The owner of the land also made a submission, confirming his consent to the project.  Datcha Construction have backed the mast plan, saying it will make their proposed homes more attractive. “We would welcome this infrastructure development as it will further enhance …

FRESH efforts are being made to have a large telecommunications tower erected in the village of Quin, after a bid to erect one in an archaeologically sensitive part of the village was turned down earlier this year. Vantage Towers has just lodged a new application for a site in the townland of Quingardens. Permission is currently being sought for a 30m structure; one that would be considerably higher than the original lattice tower the company had attempted to erect at Quinville South. Original plans for a 24m lattice were submitted in September 2021, but refused by both the Council and An Bord Pleanála, after a campaign of opposition from local residents and community groups. Both the local authority and the appeals board found that the structure would have an adverse effect on the character of the Quin Architectural Conservation Area (ACA), and would detract from and injure the visual amenities of the area. An Bord Pleanála also ruled that the …

A LETTER from a major international company supporting an application for a communications tower in north Clare has warned service will suffer if planning is not granted. Vodafone has supported the planning application by Vantage Towers Ltd for a 30-metre mast at Gortaclob, Doolin. The telecommunications giant said it plans to use the structure if it is granted planning permission and in its supporting letter stated that failure to progress it “could have a negative future impact on network subscribers enjoying future technologies”. Vantage has sought permission for a 30-metre lattice telecommunications support structure, with antennae, dishes and associated equipment at Gortaclob, Doolin.  In the application Vantage Towers said the proposal would improve the service in the area. “There is a clear deficiency in basic 4G coverage especially towards Doolin to the southwest of the proposed site, and the surrounding regional road network, with substantial areas of fair and fringe.” The company claimed current customer demand is not being met …

THE architectural significance of Quin has been safeguarded by the planning appeals board, who have rejected attempts to erect a mast of over 20 metres in height in the village. The decision of An Bord Pleanála to refuse permission to Vantage Towers for a telecommunications tower at Quinville South has copper-fastened a refusal late last year by Clare County Council.  An inspector from the board recommended rejection of the appeal, and this was backed by the executive of An Bord Pleanála. A direction from the board found that the tower “would have an adverse effect on the character of the Quin Architectural Conservation Area, and would seriously detract from and injure the visual amenities of the area”. The direction added that in terms of the visual impact, the closeness to the ACA and the village, the proposed lattice tower did not comply with either the guidelines on telecommunications structures or those on the protection of architectural heritage. It concluded that …

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 …