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28 April 2005
LM/Ballnalargy
Department of Local Government and the Environment The Office of Planning Murray House Mount Havelock Douglas ISLE OF MAN IM1 2SF
FAO – Mrs Diane Brown
BY SPECIAL DELIVERY
Dear Sirs
MANX TELECOM LIMITED PROPOSED INSTALLATION OF APPARATUS AT FIELD NUMBER 334424, BALLNALARGY
Please find enclosed an application for planning permission on behalf or Manx Telecom Ltd. The proposals are for the installation of apparatus comprising of a 12.5-metre high slim line monopole, an equipment cabinet and ancillary development at Ballnalargy.
The application comprises of: -
We trust this is to your satisfaction. However, if you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact us.
Yours faithfully
Laura Marshall, MSc, AIEMA Principal Planner
Mobile: 07769 916 744 E-mail: [email protected] Enc.
| Site Name | Ballnalargy |
| Site Address | Field Number 334424 (SC 22442 78828) Ballnalargy |
| Site Type | Flexicell monopole |
We refer to our meeting with Diane Brown and Ian McCauley on 11 April 2005 regarding the above site. This supporting statement forms part of an application for full planning permission on behalf of Manx Telecom Limited.
This application relates to the installation of a radio base station comprising of a 12.5-metre high flexicell monopole with integral antennas, a ground based equipment and ancillary development within the existing sheep fold at Ballnalargy. This installation is required to provide immediate 2G coverage to the A27 and surrounding area and allow for 3G coverage 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 to the east of the A27. You will be aware from previous submissions at Ballachrink and Dalby that there is a requirement to provide coverage in this area. Whilst the previous applications were dismissed at appeal, we are confident that we have addressed the matter of need for this installation. This was discussed at our meeting and in this regard, please find enclosed the coverage plots that clearly indication the current and proposed coverage for the area.
The site is located on raised ground and set slightly away from the A27. The topography of the land is such that views of the installation will be minimised. Further to this is that there are existing power lines and poles that will allow for the slim line pole to be viewed in context of this accepted part of the landscape.
The site is located next to a bund/ridge in the landscape and as such the ground based proposals and lower section of the pole will not be viewed from the adjacent field. The site is removed from residential properties and will be viewed within its industrial context.
Careful consideration has been given to the exact siting and design of the proposals and the previous comments from the appeals.
It should be further noted that with the installation of the proposals will provide for the relevant infrastructure/fibre to be in place to allow for broadband for the residents of this area. At the present time, they do not benefit from mobile telephony coverage or broadband and as such will be restricting personal and business uses.
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 landscape 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.
Further to this, we have provided plots that show the current deficit in coverage and the resultant coverage from this proposal. The site referred to as 'Foxdale' is more widely known as Carnagrie and is an existing installation in situ. It is not the same site as at the Clock Tower Industrial Estate.
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 and the declaration will be forwarded in very early course.
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 landscape and mimic existing vertical features. 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.
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