COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEASSOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Tuesday, May 04, 2010

HEADED ITEM NO. 27

Telecommunications and Energy

2.5.8 Telecommunications Antennae and Support Structures

To amend section 2.5.8 to read as follows (additional text in bold, deleted text struck through)

2.5.8 Telecommunications Antennae and Support Structures

In the consideration of proposals for telecommunications antennae and support structures the Council will, as a minimum standard, have regard to the Telecommunications Antennae and Support Structures Guidelines for Planning Authorities (1996) and to such other publications and material as may be relevant in the circumstances.

 

The Guidelines deal with telecommunications installations related to the provision of public cellular mobile telephone systems. They also deal with the antennae required for receiving and transmitting telephony signals, the support structures for these antennae, the associated buildings and radio equipment containers, ancillary equipment such as poles and cables and with access roads to base stations.

 

When evaluating planning applications for the provision of such telecommunications installations, the Council will be concerned to ensure the protection of public health and the preservation of residential and visual amenity. Regard will be had to the Telecommunications Antennae and Support Structures Guidelines for Planning Authorities (1996) and to any other matters considered relevant to the achievement of these objectives.

 

In particular, the Council will discourage the location of antennae in residential areas and near schools primary and secondary schools and childcare facilities, and will set down and review standards in this regard from time to time. In doing so, South Dublin County Council wishes to provide the maximum protection for the health and well being of its citizens, and to strike a fair balance between the rights of individual citizens and the general good.

 

A minimum distance of approximately 100 metres shall be provided between mobile communication masts/antennae and residential areas/schools primary and secondary schools/childcare facilities/hospitals. This requirement shall not apply in the case of planning applications relating to sites where planning permission for such development has previously been granted.

 

The 100m rule in relation to Masts and residential areas, schools and hospitals shall be applicable to all Masts regardless of previous temporary grants of permission, whilst providing for a three year period to all companies who currently have structures within the 100m zone to source alternative sites.

 

The Council will discourage a proliferation of these masts in the County. To achieve this, the Council will promote co-operation between relevant agencies/operators, the sharing of space on telecommunications masts, and careful site selection. Where new facilities are proposed applicants will be required to satisfy the Council that they have made a reasonable effort to share facilities or to locate facilities in clusters.

 

Planning permissions for telecommunications antennae and support structures shall be for a temporary period of not more than five years.

 

In the consideration of proposals for telecommunications antennae and support structures, applications will be required to demonstrate the following:

 

•              Compliance with the Telecommunications Antennae and Support Structures Guidelines for Planning Authorities (1996) and to other publications and material as may be relevant in the circumstances;

 

•              On a map the location of all existing telecommunications structures within a 1km radius of the proposed site, stating reasons why (if not proposed) it is not feasible to share existing facilities bearing in mind the Code of Practice on Sharing of Radio Sites (2003);

 

•              To what degree the proposal will impact on the amenities of occupiers of nearby properties, or the amenities of the area (e.g. visibility issues regarding free-standing masts and associated equipment cabinets, and security fencing treatment) with potential for mitigating visual impacts, for example such as by low and mid-level landscape screening to be explored where appropriate, and any access arrangements explored including impact on any existing public Right of Way;

 

•              That the beam of greatest intensity from a base station does not fall on any part of school grounds or buildings without agreement from the school and parents. Where an operator submits an application for planning permission for the installation, alteration or replacement of a mobile phone base station, whether at or near a school or college, the operator must provide evidence that they have consulted with the relevant body of the school or college; and  That the beam of greatest intensity from a base station does not fall on any part of the grounds or buildings of a primary or secondary school or childcare facility, without agreement from the management of the school/facility and the parents of children attending the school/facility. Where an operator submits an application for planning permission for the installation, alteration or replacement of a mobile phone base station, whether at or near a primary or secondary school or childcare facility, the operator must provide evidence that they have consulted with the relevant body of the school or childcare facility.

 

•              A statement from operators of compliance with the Guidelines for Limiting Exposure to Time-Varying Electric, Magnetic and Electromagnetic Fields (Up To 300 GHz), (1998), in order to reduce genuine public health and safety concerns.

 

Reason

In order to improve clarity and to ensure consistency with relevant national guidance.

Recommendation

That the amendment be adopted.