‘Like a dog with a bone’

plan Eir submits new mast plan for Ballyduff

A local councillor has expressed dismay at what he says is a “lack of local engagement” after telecommunications company Eir launched a fresh bid to get planning permission for the construction of a controversial new mast near Ballyjamesduff town centre.

“They’re like a dog with a bone with this one. They seem determined,” says Fine Gael councillor Trevor Smith, who has already received representations from concerned locals over the latest proposal.

“The notification went up last week. Some of the people watching it let me know. Residents in that area are terribly concerned. There is one family in that area whose garden starts less than 10 metres away from this. There has been no engagement with the community on this as far as I can see, and that’s simply not good enough,” he told the Celt.

New plans have been lodged with Cavan County Council for an 18-metre monopole (overall height of 19.5m), antennas, dishes and associated equipment, together with groundworks and landscaping at the Eir Exchange on Granard Street.

The submission comes mere months after An Bord Pleanála refused an appeal by Eir to reverse a decision by Cavan County Council to refuse planning for a mast. The case came back before the board a second time - the first appeal having been granted in the name of former deputy chairman of the board, Paul Hyde.

That decision was ultimately quashed by the High Court last December following an investigation into a number of decisions issued by the planning appeals board.

Mr Hyde resigned from his position an An Bord Pleanála in July 2022 amid allegations of potential conflicts of interest in decision-making not declared. In June of this year, he was jailed for two months after being convicted on two counts of making false or misleading declarations of interest in 2014 and 2018. That sentence is under appeal.

Cllr Smith says families are “rightfully worried” given what has happened in the past, but says that local families and the community affected intend to “fight” it.

“These guys [Eir] seem intent on having [a mast] there. There is a similar mast at the back of the mart, which is only 150 metres away, so people can’t understand the need for another so close. There is a small mast [at the Granard Street exchange] already. It’s probably down to economics.”

Planners at Cavan County Council has deemed previous plans for the development inappropriate. In explaining their decision to refuse permission, planners stated that, if granted, the 18-metre high structure would become a “prominent feature” on Granard Street and result in a “negative visual impact” on the overall streetscape and townscape.

In its original appeal, Eir relied on its current use and prior planning history at the site - an antenna in 1999, and retention of a 10.5 metre high support pole in 2004 and 2010 - as justification for its proposal.

Eir (Eircom Limited) also pointed out that Ballyjamesduff is a known weak spot for Eir’s 4G coverage. Three other locations were considered - Lisdonnish, Ballyjamesduff Water Treatment Plant and Ramonan on the Granard Road - but they were deemed “too far away to improve the service” or ruled out due to “geographical constraints” impacting the strength of the signal.

An inspector at An Bord Pleanála upheld the decision of Cavan County Council, recommending refusal on grounds that such a mast would be “clearly visible” from Market Street to the north-east and Granard Street to the south, but permission was granted.

The decision, dated November 25, 2021, was signed off by ABP’s former deputy chairman, Mr Hyde.

This decision was quashed by order of the High Court, on December 8, 2022, and when it went back to the board, they upheld Cavan County Council's original decision to refuse the mast.

“They missed the application when it first went up, but they’ve been far more aware since,” says Cllr Smith of “community interest” in what is being proposed for the Granard Street site. “There is certainly a community interest as well and I’m sure there will be a submission made in response to the Eir application.”