Telecoms company seeks to build new mast in Watergrasshill

3 Ireland has sought permission from Cork County Council to erect a 30 metre telecommunications mast in Meenane, Watergrasshill.

The proposal was lodged with local authorities on Thursday, 14 May with a description of the planned build, stating that 3 Ireland are looking to erect a ‘30m high telecommunications support structure’.

This development would also include a full complement of antennas and link dishes, as well as ‘ground-level equipment cabin cabinets’.

The entire structure would be surrounded by a security fence.

The telecoms provider already has an existing mast near the Cork Road in Watergrasshill.

Guidelines

A spokesperson for 3 Ireland explained that the proposed new mast was intended as a replacement for ‘an existing mast which is being decommissioned’.

Continuing, she added that the development has been sought in order to maintain optimum coverage for customers in the Watergrasshill area.

3 Ireland also confirmed that the mast would supply 2G, 3G, and 4G coverage to users in the area, however, when asked if the mast would support the controversial 5G coverage, the company stated that it ‘has not yet rolled out 5G’.

The spokesperson went on to note: “As with all infrastructure roll out, we will adhere to guidelines from the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).

These guidelines are endorsed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the European Commission.”

Planning officials in Cork County Council are due to deliver their decision later this summer on whether or not to give the go-ahead to this development.