In general, planning permission must be sought for the erection of an antenna support structure or mast. The Planning and Development Regulations 2001 set out certain exemptions in this area. These include, subject to certain conditions, works carried out by a statutory undertaker authorised to provide a telecommunications service comprising:
the attachment of additional antennae to an existing antenna support structure (subject to a maximum of 12 antennae),
the erection of an antenna support structure in place of an existing antenna support structure, and
the attachment of antennae to certain existing structures, such as lamp posts, flag poles, CCTV poles, electricity pylons and certain public or commercial buildings (other than educational facilities, child care facilities or hospitals).
The exemptions above are conditional on, among other things, the field strength of the non-ionising radiation emissions from the site not exceeding the limits specified by the Commission for Communications Regulation. In addition, in the case of the exemption for the attachment of antennae to certain existing structures, there is a requirement on the statutory undertaker to notify the planning authority, in writing, of the proposed location of any such structure at least 4 weeks before the attachment of the antennae.
The Commission for Communications Regulation is responsible for ensuring that telecommunications operators comply with their licence conditions relating to non-ionising radiation. It is also the function of the Commission to ensure that all operators are compliant with the international guidelines for general exposure to electromagnetic fields from telecommunications masts and antennae. As indicated in the reply to question No. 218 of 23 April, it is my intention to further develop the Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Telecommunications Antennae and Support Structures to take account of the latest developments in telecommunications technology and related issues, including in particular broadband.