Core Planning Reasoning
The proposed 19.5m monopole would be a discordant, overbearing, and obtrusive feature that would seriously injure the visual and residential amenities of the adjacent dwelling and caravan park due to its scale and close proximity.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The structure's 19.5m height and proximity to residential boundaries (less than 4m from a dwelling and 16m from mobile homes) make it visually intrusive and out of scale with the immediate surroundings.
- The applicant failed to provide a sufficiently reasoned technical justification for choosing this specific site over alternative, less sensitive locations or existing shared infrastructure.
- The development would result in unacceptable visual clutter at a key gateway to the recreational town of Courtown and conflicts with local objectives to improve the visual quality of tourism assets.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Wexford Development Plan 2013 – 2019Courtown and Riverchapel LAP 2015-2021Objective TA03Section 7.1Section 18.26
Decision Document Summary
EIR (Eircom Ltd.) sought permission for an 18-metre high monopole (19.5m overall) at a former telephone exchange compound in Courtown, County Wexford, to improve indoor coverage for Three Ireland. While Wexford County Council granted permission, the development was appealed by local residents and caravan park owners. The Inspector found that although the site is a utility site, its location is highly sensitive, bordering a private residence ('The Anchorage') and a high-density caravan park. The ...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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