Mast plan for Laois business park to boost phone and broadband coverage for Portlaoise

Laois County Council has granted planning permission for a 24 metre mast in a business park to boost phone and broadband coverage in Portlaoise.

Shared Access Limited have made the application in conjunction with Three Ireland for the development of an electronic communications base station in Clonminham Business Park, on the Old Knockmay Road.

They sought permission for a 24m monopole structure on a concrete base to support 18 telecommunications antennae together with the installation of dishes and associated fencing, cabling, compound area, ground based equipment cabinets, PDBs and all associated site works at Lyonara Cold Stores, Clonminham Business Park, 3 Old Knockmay Road. 

The development would result in a major improvement to data services in Portlaoise and the surrounding area, including the provision of 3G, 4G and 5G data services.

According to the report issued by Pegasus Group, this site was chosen as it falls within the cell search area defined by Three Ireland Radio Planners and has been appraised by the applicant as acceptable in town planning terms.

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The site has been designed in the plans to allow for at least three mobile networks to operate from here in a site sharing agreement which would reduce the pressure for other new masts to be erected elsewhere.

The application outlines how the structure will be screened by trees and other installations in the industrial park.

Shared Access Limited, an independent owner and operator of wireless communications infrastructure, has argued that the development is greatly needed as the demand for mobile operators is continuously increasing. As it stands, data coverage in the southwest area of Portlaoise and the wider area is very limited.

The application outlines how the development would see a dramatic improvement in broadband services for residents as well as local businesses in the area. For those affected by the inadequate data services currently within this area, Shared Access Limited argues that upgrades to existing infrastructure would not improve services for those with within the targeted area of the new development.

The application was granted permission by the local authority with 11 conditions attached.