Galway County Council has okayed plans by Vodafone for the installation of a taller mobile mast in Athenry, to replace the one already there.
Planning permission has been granted for the removal of a 15m mobile mast and equipment at the Eir Exchange in Athenry, at the junction of Cross Street and McDonald Lane.
In its place, Vodafone intends to erect a 21m high monopole mast, with associated antennae, dishes, and other telecommunications equipment.
An Architectural Heritage Impact Assessment was submitted with the plans, as the site is within the old town centre, with several protected buildings and archaeological monuments nearby.
Planning permission was granted to Vodafone by Galway County Council with ten mostly standard conditions attached.
The planning report for the project states that the replacement monopole mast will be less visibly intrusive than the existing lattice tower.
The new mobile mast will carry all of the existing telecoms equipment, as well as having space for additional mobile operators.
The current tower doesn’t have room for equipment from Eir mobile, who are seeking a site in Athenry town centre.
