This article is from page 9 of the 2006-06-13 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 9 JPG
ENNIS Town Council have blasted an An Bord Pleanála decision to grant planning permission for a controversial telecommunications mast in Ennis.
But members of Ennis Town Council resisted calls to launch a judicial review into the board’s decision to grant planning permission for the mast at an ESB substation in Cahercalla More.
The council say they will write to the Taoiseach to voice their opposition to the move and will explore the possibility of contributing to a legal campaign being taken by local Riverview residents.
The Mayor of Ennis, Frankie Neylon (Ind), urged those opposed to a proposed mast in Knockanean to join with Ennis residents in their campaign.
It was also revealed that a section of the legal advice presented to the council stated that the ESB did not conduct an adequate search of the available sites for the 80-foot mast.
The advice said it should be noted that the eventual site at Cahercalla More should only have been chosen as a “last resort”.
However, the advice stated that the council should not proceed with legal action, as there was no precedent for doing so. Since then, local residents have decided to fund their own judicial review to block the erection of the mast.
There was widespread condemnation of the board’s actions at last week’s monthly meeting of Ennis Town Council.
Councillor Johnny Flynn (FG) requested the council reconsider its decision and take legal proceedings.
“There were no other sites looked at and there wasn’t an analysis done and we are bound by this. This council shouldn’t be slave to precedent.”
Mayor Neylon said that big business was taking precedent over people’s health.
“There is concern about this mast and the one in Knockanean. The question is what should come before our health, and that is nothing. Political parties should move on this in the Dáil. To me, An Bord Pleanála are the faceless people of Ireland.”
Councillor Tommy Brennan (Ind), who lives close to the proposed site and who requested the council take legal advice, was equally critical.
“I asked the ESB if this was needed as a replacement mast and I was told that it wasn’t. An Bord Pleanála don’t know where this mast is located. We have inspectors and planners making decisions and they don’t know anything about the area.”
Cllr Donal O’Beara (GP) added that it was ludicrous that health concerns were not considered when planning decisions were made.