Cork TD calls for amendments to legislation on building of masts

A Cork TD has called for amendments to legislation which allows for the building of telecommunication masts close to homes without the need for public consultation.

In a recent parliamentary question, Seamus McGrath, Fianna Fáil TD for Cork South Central, asked housing minister James Browne to consider introducing amendments to the section 254 of Planning and Development Act 2000, which relates to the building of such masts.

Currently, Mr McGrath said, the criteria for assessing licence applications for masts of up to 18 metres in height does not take into account their proximity to residential properties.

“It is totally illogical that the proximity to residential properties is not a high priority during the assessment of these applications,” he said.

“Additionally, residents and communities are often not aware of these applications until they see work taking place on the ground. The system must be more transparent and open for public consultation.”

In a written reply, the minister said section 254 licence applications were considered by individual planning authorities on a case by case basis, including those for telecommunications infrastructure along public roads.

Factors 

He said that a planning authority – or An Bord Pleanála on appeal – would take into account a number of factors regarding such applications, including planning and sustainable development concerns, the number of existing masts, and the convenience and safety of road users including pedestrians.

Mr McGrath told The Echo he had not been satisfied with the reply he had received, and it was his intention to raise the matter further with the housing minister.

“The system needs to be reformed. I think it needs to be a more transparent system.

“Residents should be aware of applications of this nature in close proximity to them, but also I believe there should be criteria set out in the assessment process that proximity to residential properties has to be a very relevant factor,” he said.

“At the moment that isn’t the case and I think that’s a flaw in the system.

“I would be very much calling for amendments to the system to give local authorities clearer directions on how these should be assessed.”