Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council’s planners are currently considering a planning application to erect a 5G telecommunications column on the outskirts of Tandragee.
The application was lodged by agent Taylor Patterson on behalf of applicant Cornerstone, a joint venture between Vantage Towers and O2 UK that owns and manages passive tower infrastructure in the UK.
It seeks to erect a 22.5m telecommunications column and associated headframe, ancillary works and palisade fencing at lands approximately 48m west of 96 Mullavilly Road, Tandragee.
5G is the new generation of wireless technology that will deliver reliable and faster networks of the future and will provide “enormous benefits” for citizens, business and urban regions according to the documentation.
According to the application form, the area of the site is less than 0.1 hectares and the land for intended for development is currently associated with an existing concrete business.
Estimates provided as part of the application form suggest only two staff vehicles will visit the site per year and this will result in two employees attending the site per year.
Further information provided by Cornerstone accepts that in some cases members of the public are “concerned about the perceived health effects of mobile technology, in particular about siting masts close to local communities”.
It explains that Cornerstone “ensure that our radio base stations are designed and built so that the public are not exposed to radio frequency fields above the guidelines set by the Internal Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).”
Lodged on Tuesday, May 24 and validated on Friday, May 27, the application’s consultation period will be open until Friday, July 6 and it will be advertised until Friday, July 8.
