Laois residents appeal telecoms mast plan to An Bord Pleanála

Laois residents have appealed a planning decision for a 100 foot tall telecoms mast to An Bord Pleanála.

Laois County Council had approved permission last April, to Vodaphone's company Vantage Towers Ltd. to erect the lattice mast in a field in Ballygillaheen, 4km from Rosenallis village.

The tower would have antennae, dishes, a headframe and associated telecommunications equipment, all enclosed by security fencing and proposed access track. 

Five local people have now appealed the decision to the national planning authority, which will prevent any work until a decision is handed down.

Neville Conroy, Noel Dunne and Margaret Goulding are the joint owners of the private agricultural lane leading to the field.

They say that there is no right or way nor consent for access, either sought or given.

Ms Goulding further disputes a claim by the site owner Raymond Redmond that his family farm was accessed via the laneway for over 70 years. She said that a request for further information by Laois County Council to address all 11 submissions, was not done, and neither were the environmental concerns addressed.

Melissa Young and Cathal Killeen submitted a joint appeal. They claim that "the impact on nearby homes has not been evaluated to any credible degree" in the visual montages.

They say that protected species including Barn Owls and Common Pipistrelle Bats inhabit the area, but that the application did not include any environmental screening assessment.  They note that "tree screening" around the site is on land belonging to someone else and they could be felled or die, worsening the visual impact.

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

"The target area of north County Laois, north of Rosenallis and east of Clonaslee, has a clear deficiency in basic 4G and 5G coverage. 

They said the poor to no coverage has "significant and detrimental effects on the local community".

They said the visual impact will not be unduly obtrusive.

The case is due to be decided by September 11, 2024.