Core Refusal Reason
The proposed 24m mast on an elevated site would be unduly prominent and obtrusive, obstructing public views listed for preservation in the Fingal County Development Plan and seriously injuring the visual amenity of the area.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- While the applicant demonstrated a technical need for the infrastructure and the principle of development in a Greenbelt is not entirely inconsistent with policy, the specific site choice on an elevated 72m ASL ridge is problematic.
- Concerns regarding traffic safety and devaluation of property were largely dismissed due to the low intensity of maintenance traffic and lack of empirical evidence for property price impacts.
- The primary failing of the proposal is the significant visual impact and the obstruction of 'protected views' explicitly listed in the County Development Plan for the surrounding road network.
Cited Policies (CDP)
GB – Greenbelt ZoningRF110IT05IT06IT07IT08NH33NH35NH36NH37NH39NH40DMS143DMS144DMS145
Decision Document Summary
Vantage Towers Limited appealed Fingal County Council's decision to refuse a 24m monopole telecommunications structure at Tobertown, Stamullen. The site is situated on an elevated agricultural ridge within a designated Greenbelt. The Inspector analyzed the case against the Fingal County Development Plan 2017-2023 and national guidelines. While acknowledging the need for 4G/5G coverage in the area and dismissing local objections regarding health and traffic hazards, the Inspector focused on the l...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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