Planning permission has been granted for a larger telecoms mast in the Rosscahill area, to improve local broadband coverage.
An Bord Pleanála approved plans by Eircom Limited to take down an existing 12m wooden mast at the Eir Exchange on the N59 north of Roscahill.
In its place Eircom intends to erect a 20m high telecoms support structure, with space for antennae, dishes, and associated broadband equipment.
The total height of the structure will be 21.5m. The development will also include ground-based equipment cabinets and fencing.
The planning application stated that Imagine Broadband needs a location in this area for their services, and that the existing wooden pole in inadequate for their requirements.
It also noted that the larger structure would allow additional operators to locate broadband equipment there.
Galway County Council granted planning permission for the development last April with ten conditions attached.
This decision was appealed to An Bord Pleanála back in May. The appeal said that the existing development has been operating without planning permission since 2012.
The appeal also said that the new proposal is significantly larger and more obtrusive than the previous structure, and the development would result in a loss of residential amenity.
An Bord Pleanála upheld the council’s original decision, approving the project with five revised conditions attached.
The Bord ordered that the development must be redesigned as a “monopole or slimmer structure”, and painted dark fir green to match its surroundings.
All trees and existing stone wall boundaries on the site must be retained, and a “low intensity fixed red obstacle light” must be fitted to it.
