11 March 2004 · Minister for Local Government and the Environment (via Chief Executive, following Inspector R E Wilson report)
Part Field 334218, Approx 200m To Rear Of Driftwood Dalby Peel
The proposal involved erecting a 12m high telegraph pole (dark brown finish) with internal antenna and external 300mm transmission dish, plus a 2.4m x 2.4m dark green equipment cabinet on part of Field 334218, east of A27 in Dalby, Patrick parish.
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Inspector found proposal would have noticeable but limited visual impact on attractive countryside in High Landscape Value area.
Draft Strategic Plan - Communications
Draft Strategic Plan requires balancing telecom needs against environmental impact, presumption against visually intrusive masts in sensitive landscapes, encourage sharing/removal of redundant. Committee found compliant as no sharing possible, low visual harm; Inspector partial as premature pending CoTA integration.
Time limit
The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.
Approved plans
This approval relates to TCG60110E-001, TCG60110E-002, TCG60110E-003, TCG60110E-004 and the supporting statement submitted on 5th December 2003.
Pole colour
The pole must be dark brown.
Cabinet colour
The cabinet must be dark green.
no views, no adverse traffic impacts
The Planning Committee granted permission for three telecom mast proposals by Manx Telecom: a monopole in Foxdale industrial estate (03/1852), a telegraph pole behind Driftwood in Dalby (03/1853), and a monopole at Ballachrink (03/1855). Manx National Heritage (MNH) appealed all three, arguing insufficient need, proliferation of masts contrary to emerging CoTA policies, and visual harm especially in high landscape value areas. The Planning Committee defended the grants citing low visual impact, no mast-sharing options, compliance with ICNIRP, and Draft Strategic Plan Policy 4 balancing communications needs with environmental impact. The inspector found the Foxdale site acceptable in its industrial context but concluded the two rural sites would harm attractive countryside character despite limited impact, deeming them premature without wider coverage assessment or justification for proximity to each other and existing sites. The Minister accepted the recommendations, upholding permission for 03/1852 and refusing 03/1853 and 03/1855.
Precedent Value
Appeals can succeed by third parties like heritage bodies using emerging policy frameworks (CoTA) to argue prematurity in sensitive rural landscapes, even for low-impact telecom masts; applicants must demonstrate site necessity within broader network strategy, especially near existing facilities.
Inspector: R E Wilson
