COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Thursday, June 18, 2015

MOTION NO. 280

MOTION: Councillor M. Murphy

Telecomms Masts should be at least 100 metres from Housing and Schools.

Co-signed by Cllr. B. Leech and Cllr. K. Mahon.

REPORT:

The current County Development Plan 2010-16 states:

“A minimum distance of approximately 100 metres shall be provided between mobile communication masts/antennae and residential areas/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”.

In relation to Telecommunications Antennae and Support Structures, the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government issued a new policy circular in October 2012. The circular revised part of the outdated Telecommunications Antennae and Support Structures Guidelines (1996) in relation to temporary permissions, separation distances, bonds, health and safety and development contributions.

These national policy changes are reflected in the formulation of the Draft County Development Plan. In relation to the provision of separation distances, the circular states that:

‘Such distance requirements, without allowing for flexibility on a case-by-case basis, can make the identification of a site for new infrastructure very difficult. Planning authorities should therefore not include such separation distances as they can inadvertently have a major impact on the roll out of a viable and effective telecommunications network.’

Recommendation

It is recommended that the motion is not adopted.