Planners have refused proposals for a new 25-metre 5G mast in the centre of Armagh.
The plans for the BT Exchange on the Newry Road – between the PSNI station and Armagh City Hotel – were lodged by Cornerstone – the UK’s “leading mobile infrastructure services company”.
Within the grounds of the PSNI station, there is already an existing lattice mast which is approximately 40 metres in height.
However, 13 letters of objection from eight postal addresses were received in relation to this application.
The primary grounds for objection were:
– No evidence that the height of the new structure is necessary for communication purposes or otherwise or that benefits will be provided in the locality which cannot be achieved by other means.
– There are no difficulties with broadband in the locality.
– Height is considerably higher than existing structure and s therefore incompatible with the character of the existing landscape and visual amenities of the area such as golf club and palace demesne, vistas which should be protected because of their contribution to the character of Armagh.
– Visual impact on neighbouring properties and potential devaluation of properties.
Visual impacts were cited regularly in the objections – as “an additional eyesore”.
The ABC Council planners recommended the committee refuse the application and that’s exactly what they did after a lengthy debate on the subject on Wednesday evening.
Alliance Councillor Peter Lavery suggested the application decision be deferred to ascertain what the potential negative impact would be.
He said: “I would be worried that if we say no to this, the only other options are worse and we’ve maybe condemned Armagh to 20 years of bad signal.”
However, his proposal to defer was defeated on a vote of three for and eight against.
A proposal, from Sinn Féin Councillor Paul Duffy, to accept the planners’ recommendation was passed. The 5G mast was refused.
