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Department of Home Affairs
Rheynn Cooishyn Sthie Fo-rheynn Eddyrinsh
Proposed TETRA Radio Site Installation At
Cammall Farm
Field 234366
Douglas Road
Kirk Michael
IM6 1AW
Supporting Statement 27/2/15 ~ 1500227 DEPARTMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE
UNION
TELEPHONE
27/2/15 ~ 1500227
Rheynn
Cooishyn
Sthie
Fo-rheynn
Eddyr
Prepared by
Mark Bradley – Technical Administrator
5.1. Cammall Farm (Sure Mobile) 5 5.2. Lheryvrek (Manx Telecom) 6 5.3. Sartfell, Field 234167 6
Appendices
Appendix 1: ICNIRP Compliance Certificate Appendix 2: E-mails in Support of this Application Appendix 3: Site Plans and Drawings (External of Document)
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) Communication Division (the Division) has the responsibility for the provision, management and maintenance of the Government's radio systems; including those used by the Emergency Services as detailed in paragraph 11.9.1 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan (adopted 2007).
Approval was given by Tynwald in November 2014 for necessary expenditure for the upgrade and replacement of the existing TETRA network. As part of this upgrade it is proposed to increase, where possible, the existing coverage of the system.
This application is in respect of the establishment of a new TETRA radio communications site for the DHA Communications Division at Cammall Farm, Douglas Road, Kirk Michael.
The site is designed to meet the requirements of the Isle of Man Government TETRA radio system used by the Emergency Services and other User organisations within the Government, including the Department of Economic Development for TT, Manx Grand Prix (MGP) and Festival of Motorcycling (FOM) events.
The Division has identified a need, and a demand, to improve TETRA radio coverage in the area from 11th to 13th Milestone (A3 road) as coverage in this area is considered low quality and unreliable, particularly in support of the TT, MGP & FOM events where the safety of the competitors, marshals and spectators is key.
The Division has spent a considerable amount of effort in identifying a suitable site which will resolve the known coverage issues in this area.
The Proposal, as stated, meets the requirements of the Division and involves the development of an outdoor TETRA radio communications site on land at Cammall Farm, Douglas Road, Kirk Michael.
The proposed development will comprise of the installation of a 12.2 metre high slim line lattice tower on a concrete base, accommodating 2 off Panel antennas and 1 off GPS antenna for sole use by the DHA. Located adjacent to the mast will be a 1 off equipment cabinet and associated mains power supply distribution box. The site will be protected by suitable fencing consisting of 1.25 metre high wooden posts and wire stock proof fence.
The 12.2 metre high tower will be situated at the southern end of the proposed site, offset to the existing Sure Mobile monopole to the west.
The equipment cabinets, mast and antennas will be coated in a suitable colour as directed by the Planning Department and in keeping with the surrounding landscape.
The proposed site will be located on a grazing farmland within the east corner of a field (no 234366) at Cammall Farm. This area is in an elevated position (25 metres above highway) approximately 200 metres from the A3 road which lies to the West.
Kirk Michael, the nearest area of dense population, is approximately 2km to the North and East and is not visible from the proposed site.
Visibility of the proposed site from the main road will be limited. Indeed, much of the site will be hidden by the adjacent Sure Mobile site and the tree/hedge line to the North and West. It is intended to place the proposed site 6 metres from the existing Sure Mobile site to minimise visual impact on the surrounding area and the footprint of both sites combined.
The only residential property, excluding Cammall Farm itself, with a view of the proposed site is Cammall Beg approximately 140 metres to the North.
Cammall Farm itself consists of a number of barns, dwellings and outbuildings.
Paragraph 11.9.2 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan (Adopted 2007) deals specifically with communications systems and states:-
The maintenance and improvement of these systems (in reference to Government Communications System para 11.9.1) is likely to require the provision of new infrastructure; infrastructure required by private telecommunications operators is likely to be more extensive. It is important that a balance 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. New communications development should be in accordance with the provisions of this plan.
Infrastructure Policy 3 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan (Adopted 2007) deals specifically with communications systems and states:-
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.
There is a Strategic need for a new TETRA radio site in this area. This is the first new site the Division has looked to develop as part of the existing TETRA infrastructure in 14 years.
It is considered that the proposed development of this site is a suitable balance between a requirement for new infrastructure and the impact on the environment. As promoted in Infrastructure Policy 3, there is presumption against the use of visually intrusive masts in sensitive landscapes. It is considered that the siting and the design of the site has been carefully selected in order to minimise impact on the character and visual amenity of the surrounding area. The proposed design of the tower and the equipment housing is such that it uses minimal footprint. The proposed lattice tower is the slimmest, smallest and most practicable available to the Division and is similar in design to one already used elsewhere on the Island. The proposed height of the tower at 12.2 metres is not excessive and meets the minimal requirements to be able to provide the coverage the site is intended for. It should be noted that this tower will be shorter than that of the neighbouring Sure Mobile monopole at 15.5 metres.
It should be noted that under Infrastructure Policy 3 the Division currently Site Shares with both Sure Mobile, Manx Telecom and more recently Bluewave at 11 sites under the ownership of the Division and a further 6 under the control of Arqiva. This constitutes over 80% of the entire TETRA network.
The Division has existing sites at Beary Park, Greeba and also in Kirk Michael Village within the church tower at St Michael’s Church. It should be noted that neither of these sites can provide the coverage required in the specific area identified.
The area of low coverage has been identified as lying between both of these sites on an approximate two mile section of the A3 road. It is, therefore, a requirement that the new site be located in an area between these two sites and within distance of the A3 road itself.
There is an existing Sure Mobile site at Cammall Farm adjacent to the proposed Divisions new site. It was the preferred option of the Division to approach Sure Mobile and share facilities at this site.
In accordance with Infrastructure Policy 3 there was open dialogue from the beginning with Sure Mobile over the possibility of co-sharing their existing site, however, it soon became apparent that this was not an option. The existing Sure Mobile monopole is nearly full to capacity in terms of the ability to accommodate new antennas and any available capacity would be retained by Sure Mobile themselves for future network expansion or changing technologies.
To be accommodated on the existing Sure Mobile monopole would require replacement of their existing monopole for a taller and more substantial structure, so as to be able to accommodate additional antennas and guarantee the elevation required to provide coverage to the area. This would, therefore, mean a structure that is visible from the main road and would detract from the visual amenity of the surrounding area.
It is considered that two smaller structures located in this area would have less visual impact than that of a much larger structure which would be necessary to accommodate the requirements of both Parties.
This is the only other dedicated telecommunications site in the area and lies around 1.5km to the North of the proposed site at Cammall Farm.
Coverage of the identified area is not possible from this site.
In addition, this site was discounted on the basis that it is only 0.75km away from an existing TETRA site in St Michael’s Church. This would lead to duplication in coverage and a high density of TETRA sites than could be considered acceptable for the populous of the area.
Due to the topography of the area and occupation of the top half of the tower at this site by Manx Telecom it was also considered that - to afford viability and coverage for both Parties - the existing structure at this site would again either a) require substantial alterations of the existing structure which is already a dominant feature in the area or b) the development of a new structure of a similar size, adjacent to the existing mast for use by the Division. We note within Sure Mobile’s Planning Application for Cammall Farm (06/02056) that the Landowner at this site was not supportive of approaches in regards to site sharing or co-locating.
A site was also considered in field number 234167. This field is located approximately 0.75Km North from Sartfell Farm off the B10 road.
This site was previously used as a temporary mobile relay site during some previous testing of different methods to try and improve coverage in the area.
It was, however, considered to be very open and exposed. The proposed site would be only a matter of metres from the B10 and fully visible from both the A3 and B10 roads with no vegetation or tree-line to provide cover.
As has been mentioned in the introduction the Division is responding to an identified need to improve the TETRA Communications coverage in the area. This is not just in support of the Emergency Services who respond to incidents in the area but also other Government Users of the system. This particular need has become evident during the numerous annual Motorcycling events that use the TT course, particularly from the Marshals who are static and unable to move around in search of a better quality coverage. This creates a risk to the safe and effective running of the events.
An e-mail of support dated 05/02/15 from the Head of Motorsport at the Department of Economic Development – Trevor Hussey is attached. See Appendix 2.
The Division has investigated numerous technical and operational solutions in an effort to overcome the issues, however, these have not been successful and the only solution that meets the needs is the establishment of a new site.
The proposed installation, which is the subject of this application, is designed to be ICNIRP compliant and a signed ICNIRP certificate from the TETRA system provider – Motorola – is included with this Application. See Appendix 1
Coverage predications for the proposed site are included with this application. See Paragraph 12 (Figs 9 & 10).
The Division has met with both Ian Brooks and Edmund Riley of the Planning Department to discuss the proposal and their guidance has been incorporated into this Application.
The Division has been in correspondence with Kirk Michael Commissioners in respect of this application. The Commissioners have confirmed that they would fully support us in this matter. Copy of e-mail dated 5th February 2015 is attached. See Appendix 2
This Application also has the full support of the Landowner of Cammall Farm, Mr James Graham.
It is considered that the design and location of the proposed site adjacent to an existing site on land at Cammall Farm will have no significant adverse impact on the character and visual amenity of the surrounding area.
The site will bring no financial income to the Division but is solely to improve the coverage of Public Safety Communications for the Emergency Services and other User Departments, notably for the safe and efficient running of the Motorcycle events.
Fig. 1 {{image:92501}} View North from Proposed site towards Kirk Michael with view of the top of residential property Cammal Beg in the background.
Fig. 2
View North East. Sure Mobile Monopole to the left. Proposed site location to the centre foreground and hills in the background.
Fig 3
View South West. Cammall Farm itself on the left and Sure Mobile Monopole in the centre. Proposed site will be over the gorse bushes to the left of the existing Sure Mobile site. Note the tree line to the right of the Sure Mobile site which shelters the view of the sites from the A3 road.
Fig 4
View South West from proposed site location. Cammall Farm buildings to the left and A3 road to the right.
Fig 5
View towards proposed site from the bottom of Barregarrow on the A3. The existing Sure mobile Monopole can just be made out to the right of the centre tree line.
Fig 6
View towards the proposed site from the entrance to Cammall Farm on the A3. Existing site is hidden by the tree line.
Fig 7
View West from the A3 road. Note site hidden by tree line in the centre.
Fig 8
View South towards the site from the A3 road. Note that the site is not visible.
Fig 9
Fig 10
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