COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TERENURE-RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE (1)

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

QUESTION NO. 16

QUESTION: Councillor C. Keane

"To ask the Manager for a detailed report on the antennae recently erected at Orwell Park Shopping centre, noting that this area is less than the 100 mtrs. prohibition inserted in SDCC development Plan re masts?"

REPLY:

Class 31 (k) of the Planning & Development Regulations 2001 sets out the exemption limits in relation to antennae attached to the following existing structures-

(i) public or commercial buildings (other than education facilities, childcare facilities or hospitals) by way of attachment to roofs, facades, chimneys, chimney pot or vent pipes; (ii) telegraph poles, lamp posts, flag poles, CCTV poles; (iii) electricity pylons.

The Conditions and Limitations attached to Class 31 (k) are as follows:

1. The antenna shall be attached directly to the structure (other than a structure with a flat roof) and not by way of a supporting fixture.

2. In the case of a structure with a flat roof, a supporting fixture may be used provided that- (a) the fixture does not exceed the height of any existing parapet or railing on the roof by more than 2 metres, and (b) access to the roof is not available to any person other than a person authorised by the statutory undertaker.

3. Where an antenna is attached to the facade of a building or the exterior of a chimney or vent, the colour of the antenna shall match and blend with the colour of such façade, chimney or vent pipe.

4. Where the antenna is hidden inside a chimney pot the existing chimney pot may be replaced by a chimney pot in a suitable material which shall be the same colour, size and shape as the replaced pot, and the antenna shall not protrude beyond the top of the chimney pot.

5. The planning authority in whose functional area the structure on which the antennae will be attached is situated shall be notified by the statutory undertaker in writing of the proposed location of any such structure at least 4 weeks before such attachment.

6. The field strength of any such antenna shall not result in the field strength of the non-ionising radiation emission from the radio installations on the site exceeding the limits specified by the Director of Telecommunications Regulation.

In relation to the antenna at Orwell Park Shopping Centre, Vodafone were written to in February 2007 and advised that Conditions and Limitations 2 & 6 above were to be adhered to in order for the antenna to be classified as Exempted Development.

The Area Planning Inspector has been requested to carry out an investigation in order to determine if the above Conditions and Limitations have been adhered to.