COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Monday, April 20, 2009

MOTION NO. 38

MOTION: Councillor T. Gilligan

Chapter 7 - Infrastructure

That it is the policy within the development plan that the number of pylon / telephone masts per person be reduced.

REPORT:

It is not clear whether the motion refers to both electricity pylons and mobile phone masts.

In regard to electricity pylons, it is the policy of the Council to seek the placing underground of all electricity cables wherever possible (Policy EC 1). It is noted that a submission received from ESB Networks, the owner of the electricity network, requests an amendment to the current policy to provide that electricity cables be installed underground “wherever feasible and economical”, having regard to the significant additional costs relating to undergrounding of cables. However, the submission also states that new networks are installed underground wherever new road infrastructure is being provided.

In regard to mobile telephone masts, a submission by Vodafone Ireland Limited points out that Ireland is now one of the most mobile dependant and heaviest users of mobile telephony and wireless broadband services in the world. It also notes that there is a requirement for a greater number of 3G sites when compared to 2G networks, and many of these sites have to be in relative close proximity to the target coverage areas, which in many cases may be residential.

Manager’s Recommendation:

It is recommended that the motion be adopted with amendments as follows:

“That it is the policy within the development plan that  the provision of pylon / telephone masts should have regard to the vital contribution of high quality electricity and telecommunications networks in sustaining and promoting economic development balanced against residential amenity.”