Overview
Entrust Services was appointed as planning consultant to secure retention permission for a key Tetra Ireland telecommunications site at Gloutane, Cork City. The site is vital to maintaining radio communication coverage for Ireland’s emergency services including An Garda Síochána, Fire Brigade, and Ambulance Service. Tetra Ireland’s network requires consistent, high-quality coverage to support rapid, reliable, and resilient response for national public safety operations.
Objective
The objective was to ensure the continued operation of the Gloutane site by securing planning permission for its retention. This site delivers a range of essential functions, including coverage for the Carriganimmy area, backbone support along the R528 route between Macroom and Millstreet, enhanced signal strength for vehicular radio units, and overlapping coverage in the event of failure at a neighbouring site.
Challenges
Entrust Services deployed a strategic planning approach focused on the unique public service value of the site:
- Conducted a detailed planning analysis to align the retention proposal with the most current national guidelines and circulars.
- Compiled a clear and comprehensive planning application that recognised the exceptional role of the site in national emergency communications infrastructure.
- Presented a technical planning statement highlighting the ongoing need for high-quality and overlapping radio coverage and the irreplaceable role the Gloutane site plays within the Tetra network.
Solutions
● Produced comprehensive plans, including Traffic Management Plans, Construction Environmental Management Plans (CEMPs), Surface Water Management Plans, and layout designs.
● Leveraged GIS and CAD expertise to inform intelligent design and compliance-led planning.
● Engaged an in-house ecologist and archaeology consultants to address heritage and biodiversity concerns.
● Maintained continuous communication with stakeholders and Tipperary County Council to secure plan approvals.
Results
Entrust Services successfully secured planning permission for the retention of the telecommunications infrastructure at Gloutane. This outcome ensures the uninterrupted operation of a critical node in the national emergency services network. Its continued operation allows for:
● Reliable radio communications for handheld and vehicle emergency service devices.
● Robust coverage support across rural and regional areas including Carriganimmy and the R528 corridor.
● Redundancy in coverage for public safety operations, helping ensure continuous service in the event of adjacent site disruptions.
