The National Space Centre Ltd has been granted permission for a satellite enclosure on a level site in Ballymacelligott, Co Kerry.
The project for a 0.3024 hectare relatively level site in a rural area surrounded by woodland at Ballydwyer, Ballymaceligott is 7km east of the town of Tralee.
Five satellite dish antennas will rise to 3.6 metres within the confines of an enclosure secured by 2.5-metre-high mesh perimeter fencing.
The purpose of the development is to provide a satellite internet earth station/gateway to connect people to the internet. User terminals communicate with this gateway via satellite to transmit and receive data, the application said.
Housing, a pub and a shop are 100 metres east of the site. There had been a number of objections with locals saying internet connection was already excellent in the area.
Among the concerns raised were proximity to nearby houses, interference with privacy, light pollution and devaluation of property.
Concern was raised about light pollution and radio frequency waves and potential effects on residents as well as on local wildlife such as bats, foxes and hedgehogs.
There was no community consultation undertaken by the applicant with the local residents and landowners and there is concern among residents regarding long-term exposure to electromagnetic fields and radio frequency waves.
There were privacy concerns too regarding the installation of 24-hour cameras impacting on residents.
The council granted permission last September. Digital connectivity and digital infrastructure is an objective of the current county development plan, regional plans and national policy.
An Coimisiún Pleanála has now granted permission in line with its inspector's advice. A number of conditions are attached including that before it starts, the space agency must submit lighting details to the council for written approval.
"Any lighting shall be directed and cowled such as to reduce, as far as possible, light scatter over public roads and adjoining lands," it said.
The application was accompanied by a number of documents including an assessment on electromagnetic radiation exposure, traffic and transport assessment and noise impact assessment.
The Commission considered whether the development was a project for the purposes of the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive.
However, the Commission concluded that the proposed development does not fall within a class of development needing preliminary examination, screening for environmental impact assessment, and said environmental impact assessment was not required.
The proposed development would contribute to the roll-out of broadband services in accordance with national, regional and local objectives and would not seriously injure the visual or residential amenities of the area and would be acceptable in terms of traffic safety and convenience, the Commission added.
