COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, April 09, 2018

QUESTION NO.17

QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons

To ask what is the legal required safe distance for Electric and Phone/Media Pylons to be from a house and how SDCC will address any public concerns in regards to this ?

REPLY:

The main planning guidance for telecommunication infrastructure comes from the Telecommunications Antennae and Support Structures - Guidelines for Planning Authorities (1996)

South Dublin County Council Development Plan 2016 - 2022 Key Objectives:

IE4 Objective 3:

To permit telecommunications antennae and support infrastructure throughout the County, subject to high quality design, the protection of sensitive landscapes and visual amenity.

IE4 Objective 4:

To discourage a proliferation of telecommunication masts in the County and promote and facilitate the sharing of facilities.

IE4 Objective 6:

To require the identification of adjacent Public Rights of Way and established walking routes by applicants prior to any new telecommunication developments (including associated processes) and to prohibit telecommunications developments that impinge thereon or on recreational amenities, public access to the countryside or the natural environment.

Development Management Plan Considerations:

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

• Compliance with the Planning Guidelines for Telecommunications Antennae and Support Structures (1996) and Circular Letter PL 07/12 issued by the DECLG (as may be amended), 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 2km radius of the proposed site, stating reasons why (if not proposed) it is not feasible to share existing facilities having regard to the Code of Practice on Sharing of Radio Sites issued by the Commission for Communications Regulation (2003),
• Degree to which the proposal will impact on the amenities of occupiers of nearby properties, or the amenities of the area (e.g. visual impacts of masts and associated equipment cabinets, security fencing treatment etc) and the potential for mitigating visual impacts including low and mid level landscape screening, tree-type masts being provided where appropriate, colouring or painting of masts and antennae, and considered access arrangements, and
• The significance of the proposed development as part of the telecommunications network.

Matters relating to pylons etc. are subject to the requirements of the Energy Regulator