Loading document...
| Site Name | Foxdale | ||
| Site Address | Clock Tower Industrial Estate Foxdale | ||
| Easting | 228105 | Northing | 477925 |
| Site Type | Flexicell monopole |
This supporting statement forms part of an application for full planning permission on behalf of Manx Telecom Limited.
A previous application for a similar proposal, granted on the 17th March 2004, had to be relocated due to future development plans from the site provider. This approved application was upheld through a review of the initial decision, lodged on the 5th April 2004, and an appeal by Manx National Heritage, heard on 26th August 2004. This in principle highlights the acceptance for telecommunications development within this area. This proposed installation would be a direct replacement for the one already granted consent. Manx National Heritage have been consulted in this new application and have confirmed in a letter dated 23rd October 2004 to our company that they would have no objection to this site move.
This application relates to the installation of a radio base station comprising of a 15 metre high Flexicell monopole with integral antennas, a ground based equipment and ancillary development at the rear of the Clock Tower Industrial Estate. This installation is required to provide 2G coverage to the Foxdale area and accommodate 3G antennas once the network is ready.
Manx Telecom was formed in 1987 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of MMO2. The Company holds licences to run fixed and mobile networks on the Isle of Man.
When undertaking the site search and the assessment of potential sites, any conservation issues and/or other designations will be fully taken into account when selecting the preferred site. Examples include development plan policies, land use designations and conservation areas. These are then assessed in order to achieve a suitable design solution whilst not compromising the quality of the surrounding area and features.
The proposals, which form the subject of the application, are to be located within the Clock Tower Industrial Estate in Foxdale. The development is proposed for the grassed area to the rear of the estate and will benefit from screening afforded by an adjacent 8m high (approx) industrial building. The proposals are for the installation of 15-metre high flexicell monopole and associated ground based equipment cabinet with ancillary development to be located to the west of the existing tarmac road. A tree belt also exists to the east of the proposed site that will screen and afford backdropping as well as acting as existing vertical feature on the skyline. The site is removed from residential properties and will be viewed within its industrial context.
Planning Policy and Other Considerations Development Plan Policy 4 – Infrastructure – 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 on redundant infrastructure.'
The demand for an installation at this location is proven by Manx Telecom's interest in the site. If there was no demand it stands to reason that Manx Telecom would not outlay the capital to build an unnecessary site. We believe that the chosen slim line monopole will integrate into the street scene effectively and will of course remove any equipment once it becomes redundant. There are no existing towers in the area that Manx Telecom could share in order to achieve the requisite coverage. We would once again highlight that the principle of an installation within the estate has already been accepted due to the current consent.
Health Considerations
The issue of health and safety concerns regarding telecommunications apparatus has been the subject of recent media coverage within the UK. As you may be aware, an Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones (IEGMP) undertook thorough and on-going research with regard to the health effects of phones and base stations. The research found that: -
'...the balance of the evidence does not suggest that mobile phone technologies put the health of the general population at risk.'
Court cases and appeals in the UK have established that health concerns are not a sufficient basis alone for withholding planning permission, notwithstanding any view the Authority may have adopted about current research in this field, providing it has been demonstrated that the proposed installation will comply with the ICNIRP guidelines.
The proposals, which are the subject of this application, are designed to be ICNIRP compliant as stated within the enclosed ICNIRP declaration.
Summary
It is considered that the proposals have been designed so as to minimise the visual effect of the installation. The flexicell monopole has been designed to effectively integrate into the streetscape and mimic existing or expected vertical features at the roadside. It is considered that the optimal solution has been derived but would highlight that if your Department feels that improvements should be made to gain consent, please do not hesitate to contact Laura Marshall of Mono Consultants Limited.
Copyright in submitted documents remains with their authors. Request removal
View as Markdown