Overview
Entrust Services was appointed by Phoenix Tower International (PTI) to lead the planning process for a 30 metre telecommunications structure in a greenfield rural site in Co. Kerry. As PTI expanded operations into Ireland in early 2024, this development formed a key element of their commitment to improving high-speed wireless data and broadband connectivity across underserved rural communities. The project was
designed to benefit not only existing customers of network provider Eir but also to provide much needed infrastructure for potential co-locating providers.
PTI is a global telecoms infrastructure firm operating in over 18 countries. Their investment in Ireland supports both local network operators and national broadband goals by filling critical infrastructure gaps.
Objective
The primary aim was to secure full planning permission from Kerry County Council for a 30m lattice telecommunications structure and its associated equipment in a designated Visually Sensitive Area (VSA) under the Kerry County Development Plan 2022–2028. The development would support improved network performance, facilitate rural economic development, and reduce the digital divide between urban and rural Ireland.
Challenges
- Visual and Landscape Sensitivity
The proposed structure was located in a Visually Sensitive Area near protected landscapes including the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, Caragh River Catchment SAC, and Killarney National Park. In such areas, preserving scenic value is paramount, and visual impacts must be rigorously assessed.
- Planning Policy Alignment
The development had to clearly demonstrate compliance with both the Kerry County Development Plan and national guidance on telecommunications infrastructure, including the 1996 Department guidelines on avoiding unnecessary proliferation of masts.
- Community and Stakeholder Concerns
Given its proximity to residential and recreational areas, the project risked objections based on perceived visual intrusion and health concerns, necessitating robust communications and a strong justification for its location.
Figure 1: Exert from a photomontage report illustrating the visualisation of a 30m lattice structure on the landscape to support the planning application
Solutions
Entrust Services undertook a comprehensive multi-disciplinary approach by:
● Conducting a detailed desktop analysis to confirm that no Environmental Impact Assessment or ecological reports were required, streamlining the application.
● Completing a site-specific survey and producing a high-quality photomontage report to assess visibility, visual amenity impacts, and integration into the landscape.
● Engaging directly with Kerry County Council planners through pre-application consultation and responding to any queries during evaluation.
● Securing letters of intent from other operators to demonstrate demand for multi-provider use and support national policy on co-location.
● Aligning the development with digital infrastructure goals in the local development plan, highlighting social and economic benefits to the rural community.
Results
Planning permission was successfully obtained for the 30m telecommunications mast, along with associated equipment. The development is set to deliver:
● Enhanced wireless service and internet connectivity for residents and businesses in the region.
● Infrastructure to support co-locating operators, avoiding landscape clutter.
● A long-term solution to Ireland’s rural connectivity challenge in an environmentally sensitive yet strategically vital location.
● A meaningful contribution to improving digital inclusion and promoting sustainable rural development in line with government policy.
