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Planning permission has been granted for a 30m telecommunications column on lands at Carrickbracken Business Park, Camlough despite 23 objections. The decision was made by councillors at the April Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Planning Committee meeting held yesterday 5 April.
23 objection letters to the proposal were received. The objectors highlighted their serious health concerns and implications both long term and short term of the proposal with particular concerns with proximity to residential developments, a local football club and high school. Objections also mentioned the size of the mast, impact on the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and potential impacts on natural habitat.
Planners in reply said "As regards health concerns raised about emissions associated with mobile telecommunications, DHSSPS while conscious of the need for further research and contributing financially towards the same, considers that the guidelines of the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) for public exposure to electromagnetic fields , as accepted by the World Health Organisation, are based on the best evidence available to date. Accordingly where concern is raised about the health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields, it is the view of DHSSPS that if the proposed mobile telecommunications development meets the ICNIRP guidelines in all respects it should not be necessary for the Department to consider this aspect further.
"All new mobile phone base stations in the UK are expected to meet the ICNIRP public exposure guidelines. However all applications for mobile telecommunications base stations will be required to be accompanied by a declaration that the apparatus when operational will meet the guidelines. Similarly where it is intended to place additional antennas onto an existing mast or site, the operator will need to confirm in a declaration to accompany the application that the cumulative exposure will not exceed the ICNIRP guidelines
"The application has been accompanied by a Declaration of Conformity with the ICNIRP Exposure Guidelines and Environmental Health are content with the proposal, subject to compliance with the ICNIRP Public Exposure Guidelines. The supporting information submitted also advised on the height, frequency and modulation characteristics and power output of the proposal. As the health safeguards set by the International Commission guidelines for public exposure would be met, this is considered acceptable. The proposal is considered to comply with the requirements of the SPPS, PPS21, PPS10 and DCAN 14."
The move has been welcomed by Slieve Gullion Councillor Oonagh Magennis who has said it should provide improved mobile phone coverage in the Camlough and Bessbrook area.
Cllr Magennis said “After seeing that this project met the required standards for health and safety, we’re glad to see this project move forward.
"The granting of planning permission for the mast is a real game changer for local families and businesses. Access to suitable phone signal is now as essential for rural communities as broadband and other modern services.
“Not only is it a key to helping local businesses thrive but it also ensures that the local community can quickly contact emergency services should they be needed.
“Sinn Féin is committed to working for all to deliver better services for our rural communities, to securing a modern, fit for purpose phone network, helping to attract investment into South Armagh to create new jobs and grow the local economy.”
