Councillor Neville [FF] questions planning of Kingswood antennae

Councillor J. Neville submitted the following question to the County Manager at a meeting of Tallaght Area Committe 2 on Monday, November 27, 2006:

"To ask the Manager to outline the planning history if any, of the numerous antennae in the vicinity of Kingswood Shopping Centre and will the Manager confirm if the erection of such antennae is exempted development and on what legislative basis would they be considered such?"

REPLY
Planning application SD03A/INV11 was received on 24/01/2003 for retention of 2 GSM panel antennas, No. 1 transmission link dish mounted on a 3m steel support structure plus associated equipment container at UNIT 3, Kingswood Shopping Centre, Sylvan Drive, Dublin 24. The applicant was Irene Kavanagh - O2 Ireland , Lower Baggot Street.

On 31/01/2003 the application was invalidated as it was not in compliance with the requirements of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001

Planning application SD03A/0156 was received from Barney O Hare at Unit 1, Kingswood Shopping Centre on 18/03/2003 for retention of Satelite signal receiving antennae to rear elevation, box type internally illuminated sign on gable and 2 no. posters/advertisements in front windows either side of entrance door.

On 07/05/2003 a decision was made to grant permission for retention. No appeal was lodged against this decision.

Planning application SD03A/0342 was Received on 29/05/2003 from Irene Kavanagh - O2 Ireland , Lower Baggot Street , for No. 2 GSM panel antennas, No. 1 transmission link dish mounted on a 3m steel support structure plus associated equipment container at Unit 3, Kingswood Shopping Centre, Sylvan Drive, Tallaght, Dublin 24.

On 18/06/2003 the application was deemed to be invalid as the site notice was found not to comply with the requirements of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001.

Planning application SD03A/0463 was received on 04/07/2003 for permission for 2 No. GSM panel antennas, 1 No. transmission link dish mounted on a 3m steel support structure plus associated equipment container at Unit 3, Kingswood Shopping Centre, Sylvan Drive, Tallaght, Dublin 24. The application was submitted by Irene Kavanagh of O2 Ireland , Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2.

On 28/08/2003 the Council refused permission for this proposal.

No appeal was lodged against this decision.

Under the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, the erection of mobile telecommunication masts and antennae may be considered to be exempted development provided that certain Conditions and Limitations are complied with (Schedule 2, Part 1, Class 31 of the Regulations refers).

Notwithstanding the above exempted development Regulations, the erection of antennae on the Clocktower Public House is currently under investigation by Planning Enforcement. A Warning Letter dated 26th October 2006 pursuant to Section 152 of the Act was served on the owner/ occupier in this regard. However, the investigation will now be broadened to include an investigation into the status of all antennae erected at Kingswood Shopping Centre. The Councillor will be kept informed as this investigation progresses.

Information courtesy of Joe Neville's e-mailing list.