Latest refusal decisions.

Having regard to the provisions of the Telecommunications Antennae and Support Structures Guidelines for Planning Authorities, 1996, as revised by Circular Letter PL 07/12; to Policies IC P3 and IC P4 and Section 16.11.11 of the Carlow County Development Plan 2022-2028, which seek to encourage the sharing and co-location of telecommunications infrastructure and to avoid the unnecessary proliferation of telecommunications structures; and to the permission recently granted under Reg. Ref. PL26/60066 for a 30m high multi-operator telecommunications support structure within close proximity to the application site; the Planning Authority is not satisfied that the need for an additional 30.5m high telecommunications support structure at this location has been adequately demonstrated. In particular, it has not been satisfactorily demonstrated that co-location on the permitted structure would be unavailable or impracticable, and the cumulative visual impact of both structures on the surrounding rural area and on views from the adjoining N80 and M9 road corridors has not been adequately assessed. The proposed development would therefore lead to a proliferation of telecommunications structures where an opportunity for co-location exists within the immediate area, would seriously injure the visual amenities of the area and would therefore be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.