Kinlough residents vow to continue battle over 24 metre mast proposal 

The small tight knit community of Kinlough, close to Bundoran has vowed to continue the fight against the erection of a second telecommunications mast in the village.

A public meeting was held at the local community centre on Friday evening last where a packed room was told that fears compounded for the new mast were due to its proximity to the local Four Masters national primary school. 

It is one of a number of grounds in what they are currently seeking a judicial review in the High Court and understood to have been up for mention this week there.  

Planning permission was initially rejected by Leitrim County Council but this was subsequently appealed by Vantage Towers Ltd, to An Bord Pleanala, who later overturned the council decision with the caveat that certain conditions are adhered to.

The new 24 metre mast mast will have multiple antennae, dishes, and other equipment to accommodate 3G, 4G and 5G technology, all enclosed in security fencing.

Spokesperson for the group opposed to the development is well known businessman and shop owner, Noel McGowan.

He said that it was clear that a very large number of locals were opposed to the erection of a second mast at their most recent meeting.

  He said: “There was a big crowd present on Friday night. The mast would be behind the local national primary school to the left of it. 

“There are serious concerns among parents and staff of the school. I would also be the closest resident to it as well. They (Vantage Towers Ltd.) tried to put in an application a number of years ago as well and the landlord changed his mind on the issue. Then they reapplied for this location,” Mr McGowan said.

“Leitrim County Council refused planning for it and it was appealed to an Bord Pleanala and they overturned the decision and granted planning for it, so we are now going down the road of a judicial review to prevent it.”

He added that the mast would be about 100 metres from the school, but the parish owned a three acre field beside the school, which was very likely to be developed in the next five to ten years.

“This would meant that the mast would be within 25 to 30 metres of the school ground, if there is further development there, and there is no doubt in the world, that it will be developed as an amenity for the school for the future, Ad if we allow this to happen, it is going to have a serious effect on the school and the numbers attending the school.”

He also said that there was the distinct possibility that if the mast is erected, any future development near the school ground would be declined planning on the basis that the mast was already in situ.    

“Basically, the feeling from the meeting is that we do not want the mast, full stop. We don’t want it relocated, we just don’t want it. The fibre broadband is being rolled out in the village as we speak and the vans have been on the streets for the last four weeks.

“The way technology is advancing, these masts will not be necessary in another few years. This 24 metre structure would be one of the most scenic parts of the north west, at the foothills of the Dartry mountains, the shores of Lough Melvin, beside the River and the River Duff, looking out at the Atlantic Ocean and beside Bundoran

People do not realise that if this 24 metre mast goes up at the edge of our village our whole landscape is destroyed.   

“It will be like a sore thumb.”  

He added that it was a real pity that donations from the local community were now required to take their battle to the courts, at a time when such generosity should really be going towards the development of the local community centre and area near the local GAA pitch.