Local residents have successfully appealed planning permission for a telecom mast near a popular Athlone football pitch.
Vantage Towers Limited had applied for planning permission for the 24 metre high structure at Willow Park Football Club in Athlone Town.
The permission was granted by Westmeath County Planners in March 2024, with 6 conditions attached for the lattice mast, access track and security fencing.
That application was the subject of a submission from locals, highlighting their claim that the site was in ownership of the Willow Park Resident's association and that it did not have permission to proceed.
An Bord Pleanála overturned the planning permission over issues with the location of the development.
Guidelines call for telecom infrastructure like this to be located in industrial areas when being built in towns.
Senior planners concluded that the applicants has not submitted adequate justification for the proposed site and therefore refused it.
