Donaghmore residents to appeal council approval for 24-metre telecoms mast close to protected monuments

Residents in Donaghmore near Ashbourne say they intend to appeal a decision to grant planning permission for an “eyesore” telecommunications mast next to two protected monuments.

Last week Meath County Council gave the go ahead for ESB to construct a 24 metre high, free standing lattice type telecommunications structure, carrying antennae and dishes to share with other licensed operators at Donaghmore.

The plans also include associated ground equipment within a proposed 2.4 metre high palisade fence compound, and all associated ground works.

12 submissions objecting to the plans were lodged as well as a petition from local residents.

One such resident, Brian Geraghty, whose home is just 70 metres from the location of proposed mast says it would be devastating for the area.

“There are a number of inaccuracies in the application and none of them seem to have been flagged by the council,” said Brian.

“In the application it states that the nearest house is 200m away but that is not correct, our home is 75 metres away,” he added.

“There are several masts within five kilometres of our house, it's saturation point at this stage

“ESB has a 50-acre solar farm nearby, they could put it there away from the road and away from houses and I thought at the very least the council would have put pressure on them to move it but they just gave them the green light.

ESB does not need a phone tower to serve their customers, this is merely a commercial venture for profit.

“We intend to appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanala and hope resident's concerns are taking seriously this time.”

Resident Orla Geraghty said development of a mast would change the fabric of the rural area and would be unsightly next to the Brindley Monument and a church built in the 1500s.

“It's in direct sight line of St Patrick's Church, that's the church we got married in and where so many people have cherished memories of special family occasions and you're going to walk out and all you're going to see is a monstrosity that is going to be twice the height of the nearby power station,” said Orla.

“It's a beautiful church in a beautiful location, it's undeveloped and picturesque and they want to plonk a 24-metre mast in the middle of this beautiful greenfield site,” she added.

“The field on the far side of the R135 on the Swords road has been zoned industrial and apparently this mast is to supply phone coverage to this industrial estate but then why not put in the industrial estate?

“It's on the top of a hill so it's going to be seen for miles.

“We will fight it to the bitter end, nobody wants it there.”

Resident Paul O'Sullivan says such a structure would change the fabric of the area.

“There's two protected structures in the vicinity, the Brindley memorial and St Patrick's Church. We are in a rural area here in Donaghmore that's under a lot of pressure. Ashbourne is only a mile away, there's a rural character in the area we'd like to preserve, if we can,” said Paul.

“Putting a big 24-metre telecommunications mass in this area, it kind of goes against that,” he added.

The Donaghmore man says that the proposed mast would dominate the rural area.

“The Brindley Memorial is only about 400 meters away from the proposed location of this 24-metre mast. The obelisk is supposed to be the highest point in the area so this mast is going to overshadow it, for sure,” he said.

“I think just the lack of public consultation was also an issue, there seemed no effort whatsoever to engage with the community on this. So I think that was that's also very disappointing,” added Paul.

“I think the other concern we have then is in terms of the visual impact assessment that was submitted, we don't feel it adequately shows the impact of the mast. The pictures were taken at a time when the sun was immediately behind the substation. You could hardly see the substation, never mind the mast.”

Fianna Fail Cllr Conor Tormey commented. “There is no need for it, there are plenty of other options. There is a big solar farm right next door to it why can't they put it there where it won't be seen? Residents don't want to be looking it, it is going to be unsightly and unnecessary in the area I believe.”

Meath County Council has been contacted for comment.