Planning granted for telecoms services research office near Mountcharles

Planning permission has been granted by Donegal County Council for the construction of a two-storey building in a townland near Mountcharles for research and development, and office space for a telecommunications infrastructure company.

Silver Hill Civil Ltd was the listed applicant for the application, and is a company that employs four workers at its Drumkeelan, Mountcharles base, and forty employees altogether.

Donegal County Council granted Silver Hill Civil Ltd conditional planning permission for the construction of a two-storey research and development and office facility building, with interconnection to their existing workshop and offices, along with the construction of a single-storey pitch roof extension to the existing workshop, and the relocation and upgrading of the vehicular entrance to the site.

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Silver Hill Civil Ltd, which also has a base in Newtownstewart, Co Tyrone, was established in 2015 and works to provide “services directly to the telecoms industry and the energy supply industry as a contractor providing civil engineering works including replacement of ESB and Telecom poles, overhead and underground energy & telecoms lines, fibre optic installations, mitigation of risk and protection of existing energy & telecoms infrastructure and general contracting services to the energy and telecoms industry.”

Paul Doherty Architects, on behalf of Daniel Breslin of Silver Hill Civil Ltd, stated in support documents that “due to the expansion of the company, there is a requirement to increase the office facility at their existing premises but also the company is engaging in research and development to develop recycled sustainable materials and products for the telecoms and energy industries and this regard a larger office and laboratory space is required for the purposes of this research and development and administration.

“It is also intended to commence manufacture of certain products for the telecoms and energy industry, and in this regard, it is the intention to provide a larger area within an adjoining existing building to facilitate this possible future manufacturing facility.”

A total of 12 conditions were imposed by Donegal County Council on the permission, for reasons including the interest of orderly development, traffic and public safety, to prevent flooding, and to preserve the amenities of the area.

Moreover, a condition was imposed that the applicant or beneficiary of the permission pay a contribution of €15,761.25, in respect of public infrastructure and facilities benefiting development in the area of the Planning Authority that is already provided for or is intended to be provided by the Authority.

The applicant was further advised of the requirement to obtain a Fire Safety Certificate, and that adequate provision should be made to facilitate access to and the use of the proposed development by disabled persons.