*Photograph: Ann O’Connell
Plans for a mast extension in Quilty have been approved by Clare County Council.
Lodged in June of this year by Ontower Ireland Ltd, the plans to replace a 12 meter monopole with an 18 metre monopole tower carrying telecommunications and broadband equipment, together with associated equipment and cabinets enclosed within a 2.4m palisade fence compound with access track were sanctioned by the planning authority this week.
Telecommunications and broadband equipment will be carried by the tower which is located at Ballymakea close to the village of Quilty.
Seven different conditions were listed by the planning authority in approving the development including that no advertising be displayed on the structure. The existing 12m high mast is to be removed within three months of the operation of the new structure.
Several submissions were made locally against the development including those from Annagh NS, Kilmurry Ibrickane GAA club, Quilty Tidy Towns, Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF), Cllr Susan Crawford (GP) and local residents.
In December, plans by Cignal Infrastructure Ltd to construct a 24 meter monopole mobile and broadband tower within a 2.4m palisade fence compound at Tromara in Quilty were rejected by the Council.
