Austin Deasy
Question:50 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Environment his policy regarding the erection of telecom masts in urban areas or in the vicinity of dwelling houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3415/97]
Written Answers. - Communication Masts.
The erection of telecommunications masts requires planning permission. Decisions to grant or to refuse to grant planning permission for such developments are matters in the first instance for the relevant planning authority and for An Bord Pleanála in the event of an appeal.
Conscious of the anticipated growth in the number of communication masts, my Department issued guidelines in July 1996 on the planning issues arising in connection with these masts, including guidance in relation to the location of masts in urban and residential areas. A copy of the guidelines is available in the Oireachtas Library.
The guidelines indicate, inter alia, that only as a last resort should free-standing masts be located in a residential area or in the immediate surrounds of smaller towns and villages. The guidelines also emphasise co-location of antennae by mobile phone operators as a key measure to avoid the unnecessary proliferation of masts. The Local Government (Planning and Development) Regulations 1997, which came into operation on 13 February, give statutory support to this policy of co-location.