Core Refusal Reason
The proposed 24m monopole would constitute an obtrusive and incongruous development in a sensitive 'High Lying Agriculture' landscape and 'Greenbelt' zone, and the applicant failed to adequately demonstrate that it would not negatively impact the setting of nearby Protected Structures and National Monuments.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The proposed structure represents a significant and discordant increase in height (from 15m to 24m) and massing that would undermine the visual character of a highly sensitive rural landscape.
- The applicant's site selection process was flawed as it omitted potential alternative locations without masts and failed to provide required mapping of existing structures within a 2km radius.
- The development would detrimentally affect the setting and character of Inch House (Protected Structure) and Inch Mound (National Monument), with the submitted visual assessments being insufficient to prove otherwise.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Objective SPQHO102Objective DMSO223Objective HCAO24Objective DMSO1Objective DMSO17Objective DMSO227Objective DMSO224Policy CSP44Objective GINHO40Objective GINHO56Objective GINHO57Objective GINHO58Objective GINHO59Objective GINHO60Objective GINHO61Policy GINHP5Policy GINHP8Policy GINHP9Policy GINHP18Policy GINHP25Policy GINHP26Objective HCAO2Objective HCAO10Objective HCAO25Policy HCAP8Policy HCAP12Policy IUP36Policy IUP37Policy IUP39Policy IUP40Objective IUO48Objective IUO52Objective IUO53Objective SPQHO85Policy SPQHP58
Decision Document Summary
On Tower Ireland Limited sought permission to replace a 15m floodlight pole at Balbriggan Rugby Football Club with a 24m telecommunications monopole to provide 4G/5G services. The site is situated within a designated Greenbelt and a High Lying Agriculture landscape character area, adjacent to the Inch Mound national monument and near the protected Inch House. While acknowledging the general policy support for digital connectivity, the Inspector found the proposal's physical bulk and height to be...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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