Approval granted for 80ft high Three Ireland mast in Rochfortbridge
A Galway-based international firm has been granted permission to build a telecommunications mast reaching nearly 80 feet in height on the outskirts of a Westmeath village.
APW UK WIP Limited, operating under the name Icon Tower, submitted its proposal to Westmeath County Council in January. The proposal outlined the construction of a 24-metre mast, complete with antennas, satellite dishes, and related telecommunications infrastructure, on a greenfield site in the townland of Gibbonstown, just over three kilometers from Rochfortbridge.
In its planning documentation, Icon Tower, an independent provider of wireless infrastructure, stated that it delivers telecom infrastructure solutions both within Ireland and in six other countries worldwide. The company supports wireless broadband networks and associated coverage demands.
The company states that the primary aim of this new development is to enhance network coverage for the growing number of residential properties in the wider area, which lies within a popular commuter belt. The upgraded infrastructure is also intended to support local businesses and improve connectivity along the N52 national route.
The planning report also noted how the development would help achieve the goals of the Westmeath County Development Plan 2021–2027 which prioritises the expansion of telecommunications and ICT infrastructure, with a strong emphasis on delivering the National Broadband Plan (NBP) to ensure high-speed broadband access across the state. The potential impact of the mast on nearby homes, including the nearest residence, which is situated less than 40 metres away on privately owned farmland, was also assessed, with authorities concluding it is unlikely to cause any “significant effect” on those properties.
As a result, Westmeath County Council’s planning department has decided to approve the development, subject to five specific conditions which can be viewed in the notification of decision.