The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
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 and said significant coverage improvements are needed.
It noted that the other two network owners, Three Ireland and eir, have similar coverage weaknesses.
“With regard to 5G coverage, Vodafone currently does not provide any such service in the area. The other two operators provide a mixed coverage and is considered inadequate,” the letter stated.
“The above coverage deficiencies have significant and detrimental effects on the local community. “A failure to grant permission would have an enduring negative effect on local mobile phone and broadband service provision as expressed by the local community’s inability to connect wirelessly or to participate in high speed, high-capacity data availability.
“Rectifying the above coverage issues can be achieved only through investment in the form of a new communications structure with ample capacity and height.
“The proposed development shall substantially improve 4G and 5G connectivity in the weak areas and black spot areas as well as the local road network.”
Vantage has acknowledged that there would be some visual impact, though claimed it would be minimal.
“It is submitted that the location is not unduly obtrusive and is not within a protected area and the location does not interfere with any important recognised views.
“As stated above, it is also away from the village of Doolin, which is approximately 2.5km to the southeast.
“The site is away from protected areas to the west including the Cliffs of Moher and Lahinch landscape character area.
“With regard to the public roads, it is submitted that the nature of the topography surrounding the road network and existing objects such as bushes, trees and man-made infrastructure act to reduce visual impact, with views of the structure being intermittent.
“It is respectfully submitted that the proposed structure would not be out of character in the landscape.”
In its application, Vantage pointed out it “owns 1,300 masts in Ireland and combines the scale, scalability and quality of a leading tower network to provide infrastructure and technologies for Vodafone and other communications operators in an ever changing and increasingly digital world”.
Owen Ryan
Owen Ryan has been a journalist with the Clare Champion since 2007, having previously worked for a number of other regional titles in Limerick, Galway and Cork.
