Appeal launched for refusal of 'overbearing and incongruous' broadband mast

The decision by Donegal County Council to refuse planning permission for a 22-metre mast to provide high-speed broadband for Quigley’s Point, due to it being “overbearing and incongruous,” has been appealed by the applicant.

In their appeal, Towercom has disputed the claim that an extension to their mast will cause a visual disturbance for some people. Towercom is seeking to increase the height of its existing structure by four meters. 

The company constructed an 18m telecommunications support structure at the Eir Exchange adjacent to Millbrae Park in Quigley’s Point in May 2023. 

They had sought permission to extend the monopole structure by four metres to incorporate additional antennas and a dish, resulting in an overall height of 22 metres.

In the first application to build the structure four years ago, planning was sought to remove the existing structure of 13m and replace it with a 22.5m telecommunications structure. Donegal County Council refused planning due to it being “overbearing and incongruous” in a residential area. 

In an appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála, the decision was overturned and planning was granted subject to seven conditions. These included that the structure wouldn't breach an overall height of 19.5m.

Donegal County Council has refused planning permission once again for the application due to the visual disturbance the structure could cause. 

“On the basis that the proposed mast with its extended height would, by virtue of height and form, be an overbearing and incongruous structure within the immediate vicinity of the site, which consists mostly of residential properties, it is considered that to grant permission would seriously injure the amenities of property in the vicinity.”

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In appealing the decision to An Coimisiún Pleanála, Towercom supplied images from the nearby Millbrae Park to show that increasing the height of the mast wouldn't result in a visual disturbance for the residents in the area, which the planning inspector for the planning authority feared may occur.

“From the photomontages provided and the additional height of 3 metres, it is not overbearing, and the extra height will assimilate into the existing environment.”

“It is submitted that the proposed extension would not be an overbearing or an incongruous structure within the established pattern of development within the immediate vicinity of the site. This is supported by the photomontages attached,” Towercom added in their appeal.