Mast row man says structure would 'tower over my house"

A resident who lives just metres from a proposed 15-metre telecommunications mast has appealed Meath County Council"s granting of planning permission for the mast to An Bord Pleanala. Tomás Póil, who recently built and moved into a new house, said the mast would 'tower' over his house if it goes ahead and that he is 'very disappointed' that the council granted permission for the development. Planning permission was granted for the mast to carry three radio aerials for use by the emergency services, together with associated equipment for a new national digital radio service at the Eircom Exchange, Killballivor, Co Meath. Appeals have been lodged by nearby residents Tomás Póil and Susan Farrell to the granting of planning permission. Mr Póil lives just five metres from the boundary of the proposed site for the mast and said that even if they build the mast in the farthest corner of the site, it would still be less than 10 metres from his home. He said the council had granted him permission to build his house and now they had granted permission for a mast that would 'tower' over his home. He also pointed out that two other houses have also been granted permission between his home and the next house, that have not yet been built yet. Mr Póil employed the services of an architect to put together his objection to make his case as strong as possible. He said he had been told that there was no point in appealing on health grounds as Bord Pleanala does not accept that there are health implications. Instead his submission is based on visual, environment and the effect on the value of his house. However, Mr Póil added that he does not intend to sell his house and intends to live in it for the rest of his life. He said the architect had put together some images showing how the mast would look beside Mr Póil"s home and that when he saw the drawing the mast was a 'lot worse' than he thought it would be. A decision is due on the appeal in October.