Plans for a new 5G phone mast next to the police station on Newry Road in Armagh are not dead in the water yet.
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council refused the application by Cornerstone to install new apparatus on the site.
But three months after that decision was made, the applicants have indicated their intention to appeal in the hope of having it overturned.
The proposals relate to the lands currently housing the BT Exchange – between the PSNI station and Armagh City Hotel – with the applicants described in the submission as the UK’s “leading mobile infrastructure services company”.
Within the grounds of the PSNI station, there is already an existing lattice mast approximately 40 metres in height.
However, 13 letters of objection from eight postal addresses were received in relation to this application.
Among other things, objectors argued that there was no evidence that the height of the new structure was necessary for communication purposes or otherwise, or that benefits would be provided in the locality which could not be achieved by other means.
They insisted there were no difficulties with broadband in the locality, and that the height of the proposed structure was considerably greater than the existing mast and therefore incompatible with the character of the surrounding landscape and visual amenities of the area, such as the Co. Armagh Golf Club and Palace Demesne.
They also flagged the visual impact on neighbouring properties and the potential devaluation of properties.
Visual impacts were cited regularly in the objections as “an additional eyesore”.
The plans were first submitted in July 2022 and subsequently amended.
The proposal sought to remove the existing rooftop telecommunications equipment and associated development. A new 25-metre lattice tower was to be constructed in its place, which would include six antennae and associated works.
A supporting statement last year said the site at the BT Exchange in Armagh had an “important role to play in serving users in the centre and south of the city”.
It added: “Whilst the site is strategically placed within the target area, it is in need of an equipment upgrade to ensure it can meet the increasing demands being placed on it. The existing rooftop equipment is not structurally capable of supporting the new equipment that would be required at the height necessary. As a result, the existing equipment needs to be removed and a new site developed.
“The volume of telecoms traffic that visits this area, whether for commercial, educational, residential or short-term purposes, is impacting the service provision for all users.
“The existing network needs to be strengthened. From a technical point of view, the location of the existing site is ideal, and it serves the target area well; for this reason, it is proposed that the new site will be within the grounds of the BT Exchange. The new site will serve O2 and Vodafone users.”
Despite Cornerstone advocating the need for updated equipment, planning officials recommended that the application be rejected and, after lengthy debate at the planning committee in July, it was refused.
However, the decision did not receive a good reception from the mobile communications company, which has now signalled its intention to appeal.
A formal submission has just been made to Planning Appeals NI in a bid to overturn ABC Council’s refusal of planning permission.
A hearing is now expected to be held in due course, with a Commissioner appointed to consider the evidence and arguments on both sides before making a decision.
