Controversial 60ft mast to be erected in centre Kilkenny village despite council’s ruling

A decision to block the construction of a controversial telecommunications mast in a Kilkenny village has been overturned by the national planning authority.

Last December Kilkenny County Council refused Eircom Limited permission to erect a 18-metre-high free standing communications mast at the Eircom Exchange on Chapel Street in the centre of Mooncoin.

At the time the council said it had “serious concerns” about granting planning due to the mast location “within a residential area where a high number of dwellings are located in close proximity to the site”.

The council ruled: “The proposed development could seriously injure the visual and residential amenities of the area and depreciate the value of existing properties.”

Eircom objected to the local authority’s decision and appealed its decision to An Bord Pleanála.

The planning authority has now decided to granted Eircom permission to proceed with its plans to erect the 60ft mast.

An Bord Pleanála said: “The Board is satisfied that the proposed development having regard to its limited nature and scale at the existing Eir Exchange would not seriously injure the residential amenities of the area.

“The proposed development would therefore be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable planning and sustainable development of the area.”