A DECISION taken by Wexford County Council not to allow communications company O2 to keep a mobile phone mast at a GAA pitch in Blackwater has been overturned by An Bord Pleanala.

The County Council had refused the application from O2 Ireland for retention of its existing 11.7 metre high mobile phone mast carrying three antennas and one link dish at St Brigid's GAA Club in Blackwater.

The O2 mast has been in place for ten years and the communications company are one of four who currently use the elevated GAA pitch in Blackwater. There is a smaller Vodafone mast and larger Meteor and Hutchison 3G masts on the same site.

The County Council based its decision to refuse the O2 application on three main grounds.

Firstly, that the development is contrary to the Wexford County Development Plan which states that the Council will ' adopt a presumption against the erection of antennae in proximity to residential areas, schools or community facilities, structures of historical or architectural interest and areas of nature conservation value.'

Secondly, the Council felt O2 had provided it with insufficient information in relation to the development's compliance with the International Radiation Protection Association Guidelines.

Lastly, the Council felt that 'no evidence was submitted to demonstrate that the applicant consulted with other operators to share existing support structures or why this was not a viable option'.

An Bord Pleanala Inspector Michael Walsh said that, while there are some houses close by, much of the adjoining land is open and the area is 'not strictly speaking' a residential area.

'There is a national school in the village but it is 360 metres from the site and the mast can scarcely be taken to be beside the school, which is also at a much lower level,' said Mr Walsh.

Mr Walsh said the second reason for refusal given by the Council relates to possible health effects of the mast but pointed out that it does not state that there would be such effects, rather that insufficient information has been provided in relation to O2's compliance with appropriate international standards. As for the four communications companies with masts at St Brigid's GAA Club sharing facilities, Mr Walsh noted that 'the ideal solution would be one single monopole carrying the equipment of all of the operators'.

He said it is not clear that such a solution would be technically feasible, but he felt a suitable opportunity would arise when the permissions for the Meteor and Hutchison 3G masts cease to have effect in three years time.

Mr Walsh said there is 'some uncertainty' about the planning status of the Vodafone installation, which is small and comprises a three-pole structure. He was unable to find any record of a permission for this installation on the Council's website.

An Bord Pleanala overturned the County Council's decision as it considered the O2 mast to be 'consistent with the provisions of the Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s Guidelines and with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area'.

- Conor CULLEN