14 February 2024 · Planning Committee
Sure Telecoms Mast, Colby Afc Clubhouse, Main Road, Colby, Isle Of Man, IM9 4lr
Sure (IOM) Ltd applied to improve their existing mobile site at Colby Football Club by moving to a new area of unused scrub land within the site and erecting a 15m high galvanised steel monopole tower with antennas, dishes, remote radio units, equipment cabinets, and a fenced compound.
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The officer balanced the established need for improved telecommunications infrastructure under Infrastructure Policy 3, which requires striking a balance between evolving communications systems to mee…
Strategic Policy 1
Requires development to make best use of resources. Officer found proposal aligns by upgrading existing telecoms infrastructure on sports site rather than new greenfield development.
Spatial Policy 5
New development within defined settlements, but site just outside Colby boundary; allowed via GP3(e) for location-dependent services serving the village.
General Policy 2
General development considerations (b,c,g): design/visual impact, character, amenity. Mast matches existing heights/materials, no overbearing harm at 60m separation, conditioned for mitigation.
General Policy 3
Exceptions to countryside development (e): location-dependent for necessary services. Telecoms mast justified as serving population with no better alternative site.
Environment Policy 1
Protection of countryside from adverse visual harm. Limited intrusion as 15m mast not higher/prominent than existing floodlights, visible but not incongruous.
Environmental Policy 22
(iii) Safeguarding amenities of surrounding properties. No material harm to nearest homes 60m away due to separation and level difference.
Transport Policy 3
Not compromise rail routes. 10.6m from railway; applicant structural assurances accepted, no increased risk over existing trees/structures.
Time limit
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice. Reason: To comply with Article 26 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2019 and to avoid the accumulation of unimplemented planning approvals.
Removal of redundant equipment
Unless otherwise approved in writing by the Department, any telecommunications cabinet, mounted equipment or telecommunications structure must be removed from the land on which it is situated, within 6 months of it no longer being required for telecommunications purposes, and such land must be restored to its condition before the development took place, so far as is practicable. Reason: To ensure that any redundant infrastructure is removed and to comply with Strategic Plan Infrastructure Policy 3.
Details of antennas, dishes and RRUs
The development hereby approved shall not commence until further details of the antennas, dishes and remote radio heads to be installed have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Department. The development shall not be carried out unless in accordance with the approved details and shall be retained as such thereafter unless a variation or alteration is permitted under Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning (Telecommunications) Development Order 2019 (or any alteration/replacement of that order). Reason: To ensure appropriate use of the mast for telecommunication equipment.
No additional fencing
Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Permitted Development) Order 2012 (or any amendment or replacement of that order) no fencing, walling or gates shall be erected at the site other than as shown on the approved plans shall be erected. Reason: to ensure the development is carried out in accordance with the approved plans in the interests of the visual amenity of the area.
Fence colour
The proposed 1.25m high post and rail fence shall be painted dark green and maintained and retained in perpetuity. Reason: To be inkeeping with a rural area.
Planting scheme
No development shall be commenced on site until a planting scheme has been first submitted to and approved in writing by the Department showing details of existing and proposed type of native trees and bushes to bolster the existing levels of planting to those areas of open parts of the site, and a programme of implementation. All planting shall be carried out in accordance with the approved details. Reason: In the interests of the wooded appearance of the development and the surrounding area.
Mast height limit
The proposed telecoms mast and affixed communication equipment hereby approved shall be no higher than the stated 15m when measured from the concrete base as shown on plan referenced; IoM_13/013 Rev.C. REASON: To respect the existing heights of the flood lights.
Equipment colouring
The proposed antennas, dishes and RRU shall be coloured to match the monopole tower mast to which they are affixed. REASON: To mitigate any visual impact.
do not object
do not object
Arbory and Rushen Parish Commissioners supported the application; Highway Services had no interest; DOI Public Transport requested clarification on tower height and distance to railway kinematic envelope due to fall risk.
Key concern: possibility that the structure could land on the Railway line if it fell in the wrong direction
Arbory and Rushen Parish Commissioners
Supportthe following applications were supported by the Commissioners.; d) 23/01118/B Colby AFC Clubhouse, Main Road, Colby. To improve the existing Sure mobile site at the Colby Football Club, Colby, to move to a new area of the site and include a dedicated 15 m tower to support next generation Mobile phone network equipment.
Highway Services HDC
No CommentHighway Services HDC has no interest (NHI) in: 23/01118/B
DOI Public Transport
We would like some clarification from the applicant on the height and horizontal distance to the kinematic envelope of the trains.; There appears to be a possibility that the structure could land on the Railway line if it fell in the wrong direction.
