Planning sought for 5G telecommunications tower near Laois village

Planning permission is being sought for a 30.4 metre tall telecommunications tower near a Laois village.

Vantage Towers Ltd, a company set up by Vodaphone, is seeking permission from Laois County Council to erect a lattice metal tower in Ballygillaheen, Rosenallis.

They seek approval for antennae, dishes, a headframe and associated telecommunications equipment, all enclosed by security fencing and proposed access track.

The site is about 4km north of Rosenallis village, in a farmer's field, set back 180m from the road. 

The applicant says that the infrastructure is inadequate in the area for the expanding digital market, not only for mobile phones but wearable devices.

"Infrastructure within the area is inadequate to fulfill the current and forecast demand for new technologies and communication services. 

"The target area of north County Laois, north of Rosenallis and east of Clonaslee, has a clear deficiency in basic 4G and 5G coverage, with substantial areas of fringe to no coverage in all areas around the site," Vantage Towers say in their application letter. 

650 Laois community groups given chance to raise 'concerns' with Gardaí

They say the poor to no coverage has "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".

They say the visual impact will not be unduly obtrusive.

A planning decision is due before December 18.