Decision on controversial Turlough broadband tower likely to be appealed

Mayo County Council has granted planning permission to Cignal Infrastructure Limited to construct a 36-metre lattice mobile and broadband tower on a site at Rockfield in Turlough.

The decision on the proposal, which includes a headframe carrying telecommunications equipment, was reached despite strong opposition in the community.

A number of signs with the message 'We do not accept a mast in this area" were erected at roadside locations between Castlebar and Turlough.

The Connaught Telegraph has learned that an appeal to An Bord Pleanála against the council's ruling is now under consideration.

The planning application had been supported by Telecommunications Industry Ireland (TII), a representative body of Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC).

In a letter submitted to the council, the organisation said it considered the roll-out of vital telecommunications infrastructure will have 'a lasting impact on the way we work and will continue to work in reducing commuting and carbon emissions'.

It added that it's probable the incidence of working from home will increase permanently as practices established now as a result of Covid-19 become normalised.

“TII calls on all planning authorities to prioritise and process all telecommunications planning applications without delay,” it concluded.

The proposed Turlough structure will be capable of accommodating multiple network operators as well as local and national broadband providers.

The closest mobile operator site is a 15-foot rooftop location with three operators 4.5 kilometres away.