VICTORY AT BORD PLEANLA IN BATTLE AGAINST TEK MOBILE PHONE MAST
In a statement, Cllr Richard Boyd Barrett of the People Before Profit Alliance has welcomed the decision of An Bord Pleanala to refuse the appeal of mobile phone company Meteor for retention planning permission for a mobile phone mast it erected in the grounds of TEK FC in Stradbrook.
The decision was confirmed in letters from Bord Pleanala, received today, by Cllr Boyd Barrett and other local residents, who had objected.
Bord Pleanala rejected the appeal of Meteor on the grounds that the mast was visually obtrusive and damaging to the residential amenity of the area, particularly to St Fintan’s Park, Villas and Deansgrange Rd , which backed onto the site where the mast was erected.
Cllr Boyd Barrett was involved in organising a local campaign of residents in nearby areas to have the mast taken down and was the only elected local representative to formally lodge an objection to both the Council and An Bord Pleanala.
Cllr Boyd Barrett welcomed the decision, saying:“This decision is a real victory for local residents and people power against the arrogance of Meteor.
Meteor deliberately and cynically put up the 18 metre mast in the middle of a residential area without planning permission or public consultation, in a flagrant abuse of the planning system.
They and other mobile phone companies are doing this all the time and their attitude seems to be to lash as many of these things up as possible in the hope that a few get through unnoticed. It’s a disgrace.
It is only because local residents were alert and that together we organised an active campaign of protests and objections that Meteor’s cynical plans were scuppered.
However, the whole episode raises questions about the behaviour of mobile phone companies and developers playing fast and loose with the planning system.
The whole retention system that allows developers put up unauthorised developments and then apply for permission is encouraging this sort of sharp practice by developers.
We also need tighter regulations on mobile phone masts in general. As long as there is uncertainty around the potential health- risks associated with these masts, they should be kept well-away from schools and residential areas.”
For more info/confirmation: Richard Boyd Barrett 086-7814520