Concerns have been raised once again surrounding the potential construction of a controversial mast on a section of the Waterford Greenway in Dungarvan.
A second public meeting was held by angered locals on Monday night as An Bord Pleanala have given the green light, overturning Waterford Council's initial refusal.
Emerald Tower Limited have been permitted to construct an 18-metre telecommunications pole on the Clonea Road in Abbeyside.
Speaking at a meeting of Waterford Council's Dungarvan and Lismore District, Director of Services Ivan Grimes sought to provide clarity on the matter.
"The use of the Section 254 process for this type of infrastructure is in my view - entirely inappropriate. If the Council owns the land, our consent is required for the use of the land - and I've asked our property management section to review the files to see if any contact has been made by this company, and if any consent has been given prior to now. Their initial view is that there hasn't been any contact, or consent given."
Waterford Council had initially refused permission, and Cllr. Damien Geoghegan has accused some operators of engaging in sharp practice.
"Telecommunications companies involved are engaging in sharp practice, I have to say. As far as I'd be concerned, 254 Licenses are for street furniture and stuff like that. We do it for businesses in Dungarvan and we do it all the time - but for telecommunications companies to come in and to seek to put telecommunications masts in places, they're doing it under the 254 License process and to me, that's unacceptable. They've done it at The Spring. They've done it in Abbeyside and now they're looking to do it on the Clonea Road as well. The process that's currently underway doesn't allow for people to make submissions."
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