This article is from page 3 of the 2007-03-20 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 3 JPG
A BID by a west Clare primary school to prevent an 80-ft-high mast from being erected in close proxim- ity to the school has failed.
Clare County Council has granted planning permission to O2 to con- struct a telecommunications mast at Torr, Lahinch.
The council gave the plan the go- ahead despite stiff opposition from the Board of Management of Rineen National School and the Moy-Torr
Action Group.
In their objection, the Board of Management of Rineen National School stated that they were object- ing due to the close proximity of the mast to the school, that there were already three masts in the area and that the proposal would be visually harmful to a highly scenic area and beautiful natural landscape.
In their objection, the Moy-Torr Action Group pointed out that the proposal was located adjacent to the route of the west Clare railway.
They said, “If the development were to go ahead, it would conflict with this policy as it will have a negative impact on the amenity provided by the walking route and the enjoyment of the Black Hill along the route at this point.
‘Furthermore, the proximity of this development to the proposed route raises questions about public safety and the security of the proposed de- velopment.”
The Action Group also lodged a petition with their objection and stat-
ed, “The proposed development is contrary to policy in both the Clare County Development Plan and the North Clare Local Area Plan.”
They state that the proposal is ad- jacent to a designated scenic route and is clearly visible from both ap- proaches and that it will have a nega- tive impact on the residential amen- ity of adjoining properties.
The Action Group also stated that as the proposal was located close to two national schools and adjoining residential properties, the “precau-
tionary position” with regard to pub- lic health should be adopted.
They also claimed that O2 had not demonstrated “reasonable effort” with regard to co-location. However, despite the opposition, the council gave the plan the go-ahead, ruling that it wouldn’t seriously injure the amenities of the area.
The council made its decision hav- ing regard to Department of Environ- ment guidelines, the rural nature of the site, the lack of a specific visual designation and the pattern of devel-