An Bord Pleanála denies appeal for new mast in Athlone

A Telecommunications infrastructure company has failed in its attempt to reverse Westmeath County Council's refusal of a new mast. Vantage Towers Limited had sought the construction of a 18 metre high monopole structure at Cloghanboy in Athlone. The initial permission was refused by local planners, with Vantage Towers then appeal that decision to the higher planning authority.

Following an 8 month process, An Bord Pleanála upheld the council's refusal and denied the appeal. Senior planners found that alternative measures to provide the service coverage had not been explored sufficiently and this application would 'give rise to the unnecessary proliferation of such infrastructure.'