Phone network Three Mobile have submitted a planning application to South Dublin County Council for the development of a 20-metre high phone mast in Ballyroan.
The proposal would see the mast be erected on the grounds of the Church of the Holy Spirit, in a residential area.
The application has caused controversy and confusion among the local community, with some questioning where the mast would be erected.
According to the application, the current 12-metre decommissioned chimney flue would be removed to make way for the mast which is located at the “Ballyroan Community & Youth Centre.”
However, the youth centre has refuted this, calling on South Dublin County Council to amend the details on the application.
“It has come to our attention that there is a planning application for a 20 metre multi-user telecommunications support structure (including antennas and dishes) listing BCYC as the location for the development,” the centre said in a statement.
“This is an error.
“BCYC are not responsible for the application and have not been consulted on the proposed development or location.
“The proposed structure is adjacent to the Cairde / Montessori play area just outside the grounds managed by BCYC which is owned by Ballyroan Parish.
“BCYC has written to the SDCC Planning Department to correct this error.”
It is understood that Ballyroan Parish and the Church of the Holy Spirit has leased out the land for the mast to be developed.
A submission made by local residents to South Dublin City Council was critical of the development, saying that it was unsuitable for the low-rise neighbourhood.
“The height of this tower at 20 metres is overbearing.
“The structure will be a very odd and dominant feature in the streetscape.
“It is three times the height of the dormer houses located to the west and east and twice the height of the surrounding two storey houses,” they said.
The residents also said that that around Dublin, there are no similar examples of such a phone mast being erected in residential areas.
“There are plenty of similar structures beside motorways and in industrial estates,” they said.
“It would set a precedent to allow this structure which resembles a scaffolding tower to be installed in any low-rise residential area, let alone here.”
The Butterfield Residents Association says it will be consulting with the community before submitting an observation to the council.
In a leaflet distributed the group, it said that: “The planning application states that the construction of this multi-user telecommunications mast will provide improved wireless broadband services in the area.
“However, it will have a significant impact on the street scape due to its height.
“We will be collating feedback from our members before making a submission to SDCC,” the group told Southside People.
It is understood that mobile signal in the neighbourhood is poor, with people complaining that phone calls drop in and out of connectivity.
Final date for submissions on the proposal is Wednesday, July 14 with a decision on the development due on Wednesday, August 4.