Howlin wants masts located away from residential areas

TELECOMMUNICATIONS masts should be sited near residential areas only as a last resort under new guidelines for planning authorities published by the Department of the Environment.

Those erecting masts will be asked to share locations to avoid proliferation, according to the guidelines, which also provide that all future applications to erect masts will have to be accompanied by statements of compliance with the guidelines of the International Radiation Protection Association.

The Minister, Mr Howlin, said "the new rules would facilitate a telecommunications policy that respected both the natural and built environment, "while at the same time reassuring people on aspects of concern which have been raised over this type of development."

The guidelines include a statement agreed by the Departments of Health, Environment, and Transport, Energy and Communications. This quotes recent studies which conclude that there is no substantive evidence of ill health resulting from exposure to non iodising radiation from telecommunications masts.

But Mr Howlin also promised new legislation from the Department of Transport, Energy and Communications which would establish arrangements for monitoring emissions from masts.

The introduction to the guidelines estimates that to complete the State's telecommunications network, a total of 600 to 700 base stations will be required with, in the case of the digital or GSM system, a typical nine antennae in each station.

The design and siting of stations is at least partly dictated by technical needs, the Department concedes, noting that hill tops are among the most effective locations, while at the same time the most visible.

Where a mast exists already, planning applicants are to be encouraged to share the facility or, where a shared mast would be unduly obtrusive, to cluster masts in, adjacent sites.

"Only as a last resort and if the alternatives suggested . . . are either unavailable or unsuitable, should free standing masts be located in a residential area or beside schools."