Core Refusal Reason
The applicant failed to demonstrate that the potential for sharing or co-locating with existing nearby telecommunications masts had been fully investigated, leading to an unnecessary and detrimental visual impact on the highly scenic and sensitive landscape of the Hook Head Peninsula.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant did not provide sufficient technical justification or evidence to rule out the possibility of sharing existing masts or clustering the proposed antennae with existing operators in the vicinity.
- The proposed structure, even in its alternative 21m monopole form, would result in a noticeable and intrusive 'terminating view' that would negatively affect the visual amenities of the area, particularly from historic ruins and popular tourist routes.
- The development is contrary to both the Wexford County Development Plan 2022-2028 and national guidelines (1996) which seek to minimize the proliferation of masts in prominent coastal and distinctive landscape character units.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Section 9.10.1Objective TC11Objective TC09Section 9.4.2Objective IS07Section 9.10.2Section 7.4.3 (Volume 2)Section 8.1 (Volume 2)
Decision Document Summary
Vantage Towers Limited applied for permission to erect a 24m lattice telecommunications structure (later proposing a 21m monopole alternative) at Templetown, Co. Wexford, to address coverage deficits for Vodafone. The site is located on a prominent hilltop within the Hook Head Peninsula, an area categorized as a 'Distinctive and Coastal' landscape. Wexford County Council refused the application citing visual impact and failure to justify the lack of co-location. Despite the applicant's arguments...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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