An Bord Pleanála over-rules council to grant 18-metre structure at busy junction

A DECISION by Kerry County Council (KCC) to refuse planning permission for an 18-metre-high telecommunications structure near the roundabout at Mounthawk in Tralee in 2023 has been reversed on appeal to An Bord Pleanála.

The appeal was lodged by Cignal Infrastructure Ltd with an address at Newbridge, County Kildare.

The proposed site of the structure is on a small, grassed area which adjoins the public footpath bounding the existing Circle K petrol filling station near Mercy Mounthawk Secondary School, at the roundabout junction between the R558 and R551.

This busy road on the outskirts of Tralee consists of the main routes to Ardfert and Fenit from the town.

KCC originally refused the application for four specific reasons relating to ‘injuring visual amenities’ in the locality that would lead to an ‘undesirable precedent’.

It stated the structure would injure the amenities of properties in the vicinity, including a Montessori school, secondary school, commercial properties, and residences.

The council also felt road safety would be impacted as the development may draw the attention of motorists away from the road at a point where ‘utmost attention is required’.

An Bord Pleanála overruled KCC, stating that the proposed development – subject to three conditions – would not seriously injure or detract from the visual amenities of the area or of the amenities of property in the vicinity.

The planning body further decided that the telecommunications structure would not ‘endanger public safety’ by reason of traffic hazard or obstruction of road users, and would be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.