18 June 2015 · Delegated - Michael Gallagher, Director of Planning and Building Control
Cable And Wireless, Site 082 Tower Farm, Mountain Road, Ramsey, Isle Of Man, IM8 2jl
The site is a prominent telecommunications compound in an Area of High Landscape Value, featuring an existing faux-cypress mast and cabin, set down into the landscape with gabion baskets, about 100m from the Registered Albert Tower.
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The officer assessed the proposal against Infrastructure Policy 3, which requires balancing the need for communications infrastructure with environmental impact, presuming against visually intrusive e…
General Policy 3
Prohibits development outside zoned areas except for overriding national need with no reasonable alternative. Site unzoned countryside; greater weight given to Infrastructure Policy 3 due to telecom nature, but no national need demonstrated, so assessed primarily on visual impact.
Environment Policy 1
Protects countryside ecology unless overriding national need outweighs protection and no alternative. Proposal accepted as not adversely affecting countryside character with conditions mitigating visual impact.
Environment Policy 2
Protects Areas of High Landscape Value unless development does not harm character or location essential. Site in AHLV; additions found not to harm landscape character due to small scale, blending, and conditions on colour/maintenance.
Infrastructure Policy 3
Balances communications infrastructure need against environmental impact, presuming against intrusive masts, encouraging sharing and removal of redundant kit. Proposal achieves balance as equipment not visually intrusive in sensitive site, with conditions; no need for mast sharing or alternative proven necessary.
Time limit
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.
Mast branch refitting
Prior to any work being commenced on the site, the tree mast within the application site annotated as "15.0m High Francis & Lewis Cypress Tree" shown on submitted plan 161957-96-100-MD003 Rev 3 (date-stamped as having been received 15th April 2015) shall have fake 'branches' installed such that it takes on the appearance as shown on the submitted plan 161957-96-151-MD004 Rev 4.
Removal on redundancy
In the event of the development hereby approved becoming redundant, such development must be taken down along with all ancillary infrastructure and be removed from the site within 3 months of the cessation of use and the land restored back to form part of the grassed area.
Dish colouring
The satellite dish hereby approved shall be coloured Leaf Green (RAL 6002) within 28 days of its installation and retained as such thereafter.
comply with ICNIRP guidance, no threat to population health, no further assessment required
no objection, existing tree masts must be maintained to reasonable standard for visual amenity in area of high scenic value
Maughold Parish Commissioners objected due to poor maintenance of the existing tree mast posing visual and livestock safety issues, while Ramsey Town Commissioners had no objection but observed that the mast must be maintained to protect visual amenity.
Key concern: poorly maintained tree mast with fallen branches unsightly and hazardous to livestock
Ramsey Town Commissioners
No Objectionwhilst they had no objection to the proposal, they made the following observation:- The existing tree masts must be maintained to a reasonable standard to ensure that the visual amenity is not adversely affected in an area of high scenic value.
Maughold Parish Commissioners
ObjectionThe Commissioners object to these proposals on the basis that the current tree mast is poorly maintained; many 'branches' have fallen from the tree and are scattered across the adjacent field. These are unsightly and are a potential hazard to livestock.; The Commissioners insist that these matters are addressed prior to any new permissions being granted.
