Parents and the local community surrounding Pelletstown Educate Together, which has 400 children, have expressed concerns regarding the construction of the mast 12.5 metres from the school grounds.
The 18-metre high structure, part of a wider initiative by Eir to expand broadband access, was granted permission by An Bord Pleanala on October 21.
However, its location has led to a petition with nearly 600 signatures calling for the mast to be relocated to a “more appropriate site” further away from the school and homes.
Anna Lalor, whose child attends the Pelletstown school, said their argument is that while it is not “definitely dangerous” to have a mast near the school and homes, it is not “definitely safe either”.
“There’s enough reason to be concerned,” she said.
“We have gone as far as An Bord Pleanála (ABP), where, despite the relevant inspector recommending the mast not go ahead, the ABP board granted Eir permission to proceed.”
Protesters say there is “enough concern within the academic community to warrant concern, given the amount of time, over eight years, that children will spend on the school site”.
They are also concerned the mast would tower over the schoolyard, including the rooftop yard, which contains a sensory garden.
Other reasons the community has opposed the mast include the claim that Eir Mobile has “not explored” other sites in the area, as set out in planning guidelines.
These guidelines highlight that “only as a last resort, and if the alternatives suggested in the previous paragraph are either unavailable or unsuitable, should free-standing masts be located in a residential area or beside schools”.
Eir determined that no site other than the one it owns beside the school was suitable.
However, campaigners claim they have identified an ESB substation 550 metres away, which they feel is a better fit for the mast. This site would be less “visibly obtrusive” and further away from populated areas.
“It has become abundantly clear over the course of this process that the profit and needs of Eir are much more important than the impact on the school, the children, and the local community,” a spokesperson for the community members said.
“The overarching objective seems to be the roll-out of broadband in every form, regardless of the availability or expected availability of high-speed broadband in the area.”
A petition calling for the relocation of the mast has almost 600 signatures
Dublin City Council granted permission to Eir to erect the mast and said it had thoroughly investigated four of the five sites.
According to the council, these sites were found to be unsuitable due to technical or geographical reasons, or were unavailable.
The community, which opposes the mast, has been holding peaceful protests at the site and has appealed to An Bord Pleanála on the basis that “DCC had not taken into account the relevant planning guidelines”.
They claim Eir has not adhered to the “last resort principle” in relation to the placement of masts near schools and ignored the alternative site at the ESB substation.
A spokesperson for Eir said: “The proposed development at Pelletstown has full planning approval and work at the site will be carried out in compliance with all conditions laid out by An Bord Pleanala.
“It is essential telecommunications infrastructure designed to enhance mobile coverage and connectivity in the area, ensuring improved communication services to support the community’s needs.”
A spokesperson for Dublin City Council said: “Planning permission for the installation of an 18-metre telecommunications mast was granted by An Bord Pleanála on October 21, subject to conditions.
“Following complaints from local residents, Dublin City Council inspected the site and found that work had begun.
“As two planning conditions had not been met, all parties involved were instructed to cease work on November 15, followed by an Enforcement Notice on November 21.
“The notice requires the cessation of all works until conditions 4 and 6 are complied with in full. Once these conditions are met, work can resume, as the permission remains in place.”
Condition 4 of the planning permission requires that “details of a colour scheme for the mast and any ancillary structures … shall be submitted to, and agreed in writing with, the planning authority prior to commencement of development”.
Condition 6 requires a Construction Management Plan to be submitted, “including noise and dust management measures and off-site disposal of construction/demolition waste”.
An Bord Pleanála has been contacted for comment.
