COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Tuesday, May 04, 2010

MOTION NO. 127

MOTION: Councillor T. Gilligan

That it is the policy of the Planning Authority that telecommunication masts shall not be located within 200m of any schools ; hospitals ; community centres or police stations, similar to Kerry Co Co  

REPORT:

The approach adopted in the draft development plan follows that of the current plan, and reflects public concerns regarding the siting of mobile phone antennae and masts. The conclusion of the Expert Group (Report of Expert Group on Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields, DCMNR 2006) that the scientific evidence does not indicate any health effects from exposure to the Radio Frequency fields emitted by base stations is noted. However, the report also notes that public concerns reflect a lack of public confidence in the existing national guidelines, the exemption process, and the adequacy of information provided in planning applications. The Expert Group  strongly recommends that national guidelines be agreed on the planning and approval process for new antennae on existing masts and future base stations through a public consultative process, and suggests that this could lead to an improvement in the public acceptance of base stations. Pending the issuing of new national guidelines it is considered that the proposed draft plan provisions are satisfactory and consistent with the national guidelines.

 

Manager’s Recommendation:

It is recommended that the proposed motion not be adopted.