SOC On Behalf of Ramsey Town Commissioners

	RAMSEY TOWN COMMISSIONERS - STATEMENT OF CASE PLANNING APPEAL REFERENCE AP26/0001 FOR 25/90937/B APPEAL AGAINST THE INSTALLATION OF 2 TELEGRAPH POLES TO PROVIDE FIBRE OPTIC CONNECTIVITY TO 12, 14, 15, 16 AND 18 BARRULE PARK, RAMSEY.<br><br>
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Ramsey Town Commissioners considered the original application on the 19th November 2025 and resolved to OBJECT to the application.

In considering this application, the Commission talked at length about the impact of the installation of the poles would have on the street scene and had on a number of occasions suggested that Manx Telecom should consult with residents prior to the applications being submitted to planning as there are other means to service properties without the visual impediments.

The Board felt that the proposed installation of wooden telegraph poles would result:

• • in a narrowing of the footpaths,
• • that both the poles and their associated cabling amongst the street scene due to the height, size and scale of the proposals would have a negative visual impact that adversely affects the character of the street scene,

This application would be contrary to General Policy 2 (b, c, g & h) of the Strategic Plan in that general policy 2 states: Development which is in accordance with the land-use zoning and proposals in the appropriate Area Plan and with other policies of this Strategic Plan will normally be permitted, provided that the development:

• (b) respects the site and surroundings in terms of the siting, layout, scale, form, design and landscaping of buildings and the spaces around them;
• (c) does not affect adversely the character of the surrounding landscape or townscape; (g) does not affect adversely the amenity of local residents or the character of the locality; The poles also go against Infrastructure Policy 3:

• A balance must be struck between the need for new, evolving communications systems to satisfy residential and business demand and the impact that the necessary infrastructure will have upon the environment. Measures which may help to achieve a satisfactory balance will include a presumption against visually intrusive masts in sensitive landscapes, the encouragement of mast sharing by different operators, and the removal of redundant infrastructure. Exceptions to this policy would need to demonstrate a strategic national need, which cannot be otherwise secured by mast sharing or alternative locations. Other less visually intrusive development methods are available as demonstrated by the applicants own publicly available literature.

• Ramsey Town Commissioners would request that this submission is taken into consideration when the Appeal is determined.
• B. Wallace Technical Services Manager 2nd February, 2026