New application for Laois roadside mast after An Bord Pleanála refusal

Two months after An Bord Pleanála rejected an application to install a tall telecommunications mast beside a busy road in Laois, a new application has been lodged.

Vantage Towers Ltd has applied to Laois County Council again to replace a 16 metre tall lattice tower, with one that is 25 metres tall. it is in Colt, Ballyroan on a national route, the Portlaoise to Abbeyleix N77 road.

An Bord Pleanála had refused permission last May, after a go-ahead given by Laois County Council was appealed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).

it said that the applicant "has not adequately demonstrated that the proposed development would not pose a traffic hazard."

"The Board further considered that in the absence of detail in relation to the potential provision of a layby adjoining the site or access to adjoining lands during the construction phase of the proposed development there remained an unresolved road safety risk in relation to the construction phase. The proposed development would therefore be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area."

The planning authority went against the recommendation of its own inspector. They said that the plan requires a Technical Acceptance Report, in response to concerns for road safety expressed by the TII.

However Vantage Towers say the matter is now resolved between them and the TII.

"At the time of the above application similar other applications were made throughout the Country. The TII raised similar objections. Vantage Towers in conjunction with Delmec, the tower manufacturer, has since last February, engaged extensively on this matter with TII’s Structures Section and we are now pleased to confirm that TII has issued Vantage Towers Limited (the applicant) with a Statement of Registration. 

"Now that the concerns raised by the TII have been resolved, this application is effectively a repeat of the previous application, planning reference 24/60664. It is submitted that no other matter has changed and that the original planning report for the previous application still applies." 

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The new application again seeks to erect a 24m lattice telecommunications support structure on a 1.2 metre high raised foundation (providing an overall height of 25.2 metres) together with associated antennas and dishes and to remove the existing 15 metre lattice telecommunications structure with antennas (providing an overall height of 16.5 metres). The proposed development is all enclosed within an existing compound.