9 August 2005 · Minister for Local Government and the Environment
Field 334424 At Ballalhargy, Postal Locality, Dalby, Isle Of Man, IM5 3bp
The proposal involved installing a slimline 12.5m monopole (273mm diameter pole with 380mm antenna shroud), 6 internal antennas, external transmission dish, 3x2m equipment cabin on concrete base, and access track in rough upland pasture near power lines and gorse hedge.
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The Inspector noted the site in high landscape value area where protection is primary consideration, with presumption against visually intrusive masts per IP4 and EP policies unless essential location…
Infrastructure Policy 4 (Communications)
Requires balance between communications need and environmental impact; presumption against visually intrusive masts in sensitive landscapes unless strategic national need not met by sharing/alternatives. Assessed as partial: commercial/residential need proven but not 'strategic national'; no sharing possible; offset by Arracey removal.
Environment Policy 1
Prohibits development harming designated landscape character unless essential location or no harm. Inspector found harm from 'alien' mast but location-dependent for coverage; essential outweighed by Arracey gain.
Environment Policy 2
Protects high landscape value areas; landscape conservation primary. Potential contravention noted but mitigated by design/topography and mast removal.
Environment Policy 3
Permits development not harming landscape character if essential. Slimline design, screening by hedge/landform, near power lines accepted as minimal harm.
Time limit
The development shall commence within four years of the date of this notice.
Materials approval
The mast and cabinet shall be finished as unpainted metal, or in matt grey, in accordance with a paint sample which shall be submitted to and approved by the Department before the commencement of any works on site.
Concurrent approval required
This permission can proceed only concurrently with planning approval PA07/00302 for the installation of a 10m high monopole mast with associated equipment cabin at 'Sunnybank', Stoney Mountain Road, Foxdale, which was approved on 13th March 2007.
Arracey mast removal
Within eighteen months of the date of this notice, the Arrasey mast and all associated development shall be demolished and removed from its site, and the site restored to harmonise with the surrounding land, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Department.
Approved twice; low visual impact near power lines, rising land minimises; need proven by investment; better than prior refused sites
Potential benefit exceeds visual intrusion; safety on sea/land prioritised
No adverse traffic impacts
Support for coverage in Dalby/Glen Maye
The Planning Committee granted permission for Manx Telecom's 12.5m monopole mast and equipment cabin in a high landscape value area, but MNH appealed citing visual intrusion and proliferation in protected countryside. The inspector found the mast would harm the landscape character despite good design, with no proven strategic national need or essential location justifying it, but noted removal of the objectionable Arrassey lattice mast (enabled by this and a Barrule site) would provide substantial landscape benefit outweighing harm. The Minister initially indicated he was minded to grant permission if Manx Telecom secured irrevocable Arrassey removal within 6 months. Manx Telecom delivered with approval for the Sunnybank (PA07/00302) site, leading the Minister to dismiss the appeal on 3 May 2007 and approve subject to conditions including concurrent Sunnybank development, matt grey/unpainted finish, and Arrassey demolition within 18 months.
Precedent Value
Telecom mast appeals in sensitive landscapes succeed via 'planning balance' trading new slim masts for guaranteed removal of worse legacy structures; applicants must secure parallel sites irrevocably before permission activates, with conditions enforcing demolition timelines.
Inspector: David Ward
