1900129B AMD Additional Info 10thJun2019

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From: Butler, Steve (DEFA) To: Butler, Steve (DEFA) Subject: Planning Application 19/00129/B Date: 06 June 2019 16:39:49 Attachments: Supporting Documentation - 1900129B v2.0.pdf Importance: High Good Afternoon,

I have received the attached additional information in relation to planning application 19/00129/B. The previous documentation (including responses so far) can be viewed on-line here: https://services.gov.im/planningapplication/services/planning/planningapplicationdetails.iom? ApplicationReferenceNumber=19%2F00129%2FB I have received responses previously from Public Health and the Manx Wildlife Trust. The additional information clarifies the reasons for the proposal and responds to some of the points raised by the MWT.

If you have any additional comments on this, I would be grateful to receive them by Friday the 21st June 2019.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if it would be helpful to discuss this.

Thank you,

Steve

Steve Butler Head of Development Management

Planning and Building Control Directorate Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture Murray House Mount Havelock Douglas Isle of Man IM1 2SF

Telephone: (01624) 685903

Any views expressed in this email are those of the officer only and are without prejudice to any formal decision made under the provisions of the Town and Country Planning Act 1999 and any relevant secondary legislation P please consider the environment - do you really need to print this email?

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BlueWave Communications Limited is an Isle of Man Government licensed telecommunications provider, authorised and regulated by the Telecommunications Act1984 and the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949. We’re incorporated within the Isle of Man. Reg: 119598C VAT: GB003209336 Directors: Adam Beaumont, Shelley Langan, Matthew Sayle

05/06/2019

REF: Planning Application 19/00129/B

Dear Planning Office Team,

Further to our recent exchange of correspondence, we are providing more detail, as requested, in support of planning application 19/00129/B.

Further Applicant Details

BlueWave Communications Ltd is a fully licenced telecommunications operator by the Isle of Man Communications Commission, licenced to operate Telecommunications systems of every description.1

BlueWave have been present on the Island since 2010 and moved from Internet Service Provider Status to full operator status in April 2018.

BlueWave has 40 MHz spectrum allocation and licences through Ofcom2 (as per the UK Wireless Telegraphy Act (of Parliament) 2006 extension to the Isle of Man by Statutory Instrument).

BlueWave are owned by aql Holdings Ltd, UK company number 10887434.

Requirement of Site Redevelopment

BlueWave agree with the Code of Best Practice as set out by Mobile UK3, a document which has been suggested as a reference when building a mast site by the Isle of Man Communications Commission.

“ With the ever increasing demand for data hungry applications available to a range of connected devices, such as smart phones and tablets, the requirement to upgrade and

1 https://www.iomcc.im/media/1284/modification-to-bluewave-licence-april-2018.pdf 2 https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0028/84862/isle_of_man_allocations_oct_2018.pdf 3 http://www.mobileuk.org/cms-assets/documents/259876-147086.code-of-best-practice-2016-edition-pub

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Within section 2.7 of this document it references Section 5 of the National Planning Policy Framework4 for the UK which sets out the principles on which this Code of Best Practice is based.

They are:

The development of high-speed broadband technology and other communications networks plays a vital role in enhancing the provision of local community facilities and services.

Existing masts, buildings or other structures should be used unless the need for a new site has been justified

BlueWave wish to invest further in telecommunications, including high speed broadband technology using an existing mast site, the “Old BBC Transmitter Site”.

In line with the Isle of Man Government’s Program for Government5 and more latterly the Island’s Telecommunications Strategy6, BlueWave wish to support a strong and growing connected society on the Isle of Man, it’s people and businesses. We wish to invest in to technologies which will see the Isle of Man sit at the forefront of telecommunications technology and innovation. BlueWave requires mast sites in order to achieve this end.

As a point of operational necessity, we currently require mast space in order to transmit telecommunications through our licenced spectrum on the Isle of Man to Isle of Man residents, companies and communities. We currently site share on various different masts around the Island, however after investing heavily in line of sight calculation software and LIDAR maps of the island we found that the existing site at Carnane provided the best coverage to the largest populous of the Island and two significant business hubs, both the East and South of the Island, including but not limited to many rural areas currently lacking in adequate connectivity speeds.

Not only will the new mast be safer and fit for purpose, it will also have the correct load bearing capability for the modern telecoms equipment we will be installing, ensuring the demands of future technologies.

BlueWave wishes to retain its low-cost pricing structure for homes and businesses on the Island. It is currently not possible to stay competitive based on the rental of mast space on third party masts.

4 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/779764/ NPPF_Feb_2019_web.pdf 5 https://www.gov.im/media/1354707/programme-for-government-2016-2021.pdf 6 http://www.tynwald.org.im/business/opqp/sittings/20182021/2018-GD-0062.pdf

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Known as the “Old BBC Transmitter Site” the land currently has one building and a 20m mast housed in fencing. The proposed redevelopment is an improved development and replacement of an existing redundant mast. This land was considered due its historical use as a telecommunications mast site. See Annex A for image of site zoned for radio commuincations in the 1982 Isle of Man Plan, within which the site sits. Annex B shows an image of the site as it is developed currently.

Redevelopment

A) NEW BUILDING

The proposed new building indicated on the plan will house sensitive telecommunications equipment. We do not feel the current building on the site is suitable in terms of size neither is it dust-tight. The proposed building is prefabricated off-site and made from sustainable timber materials with cladded exterior. This building will be assembled quickly on site by a local contractor. There will be minimal plant and disturbance on site due to its prefabricated nature.

B) NEW MAST

A new 40m mast is proposed to replace the older 20m mast which currently sits on the site.

C) GENERATOR The generator would supply back-up power should the mains grid fail, for the purposes of keeping this key network site running. The set is a 100kva canopied ultra-quiet set (used for standby only).

D) FENCING

Paladin fencing will be used, there is an error on the submitted drawing.

Construction

BlueWave have engaged with a number of local contractors to provide quotations for the construction of the redevelopment of the “Old BBC Transmitter Site”. It is anticipated that a crane will be needed to hoist the new mast in to place and a 360 mini-excavator to dig the foundations for the concrete bases and fencing will be needed. Direct access to the site is provided by the existing lane.

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As mentioned in The Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016, Infrastructure Policy 37, site sharing is of importance when considering Communications Infrastructure. After BlueWave have redeveloped the currently redundant site, we would welcome the sharing of this site with other entities, subject to agreement of terms. This would allow for the growth of the telecommunications and technology sector as future technologies become available, without having to zone further land for telecommunications use unnecessarily.

Wildlife Zone

We have been informed that the site has been classified as part of a Wildlife Zone. After discussions, we feel that there will be minimal disruption to this part of the larger wildlife site. We would only clear any vegetation that is necessary for works and when considering the overall impact in terms of the integrity of the wider site, it can be seen as is low impact.

BlueWave considered the culminative impact on the surrounding area and the mast site will be no more or less impactful than the other masts on the same hilltop and have no impact on wildlife. However, as we are considerate of Wildlife zoning, BlueWave will commission a wildlife report and take account of the recommendations therein when proposed redevelopment works are undertaken.

Yours sincerely,

Shelley Langan

Managing Director

BlueWave Communications Ltd

7 https://www.gov.im/media/1350906/the-isle-of-man-strategic-plan-2016-approved-plan-15_03_16.pdf

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Annex B – Images of the “Old BBC Transmitter” site as it is currently showing mast and building

Source & Provenance