Core Refusal Reason
The proposed 19m telecommunications mast was refused due to its adverse visual impact on a protected prospect (Prospect No. 31), its excessive proximity to residential dwellings, and the failure of the application to accurately represent the visual impact of the required permanent concrete base and retaining structures on a sloped site.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The development would be contrary to the Wicklow County Development Plan 2022-2028 standards for telecommunications structures due to its height and close proximity (c. 13m) to the rear garden of No. 1 Dunbur Glen, which would seriously injure residential amenity.
- The proposal would form a visually incongruous feature within the viewline of Prospect No. 31 along the R750 coastal road, obstructing protected views towards the sea and Brides Head at a prominent entrance point to Wicklow Town.
- The submitted Visual Impact Assessment (VIA) and site photographs failed to accurately represent the full extent and visual impact of the proposal, specifically omitting the permanent 12.25 sq.m concrete base and C-shaped retaining wall necessitated by the site's steep topography.
Cited Policies (CDP)
CPO 16.35CPO 16.37CPO 17.38Appendix 1 - Section 2.4 Telecommunications
Decision Document Summary
This application sought a Section 254 licence for a 19-metre monopole telecommunications mast and associated infrastructure on a sloped site along Dunbur Road, Wicklow Town, located near St. Patrick's GAA pitch and the Dunbur Glen residential estate. The proposal was refused primarily because it would negatively impact the residential amenity of nearby homes and obstruct protected coastal views (Prospect No. 31) along the R750. The planning authority also found that the scale of the mast, combin...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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