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In consequence National Grid Wireless on behalf of Cloud 9 submits herewith a planning application for the installation of telecommunications apparatus at the above site. We accordingly enclose the following:
i. Four completed copies of the planning application forms. ii. Four copies of an O.S. site plan scale (1:2500) reference 50388.005/1 showing the red line area. iii. Four copies of the site location map reference 50388.004/1
iv. Four copies of the site and elevation plans. Plan references 50388_30-150_M09_09 and 50388_30_100_M09_09. For information purpose we also include details of the headframe plan for the equipment to be located on the mast, drawing reference 50388_30_160_M09_09
v. A cheque for the sum of £53 in respect of the appropriate fee
Background
Mobile phone operator Cloud 9 are one of two new operators that have recently been licensed by the Communications Commission to offer mobile telephone services in the Isle of Man. The licensing of these new operators has introduced the advent of competition into the mobile telephone market on the island and the Communications Commission believes that this approach will provide customers with a real choice.
In order for Cloud 9 to offer a choice to local residents and businesses they need to develop a completely new network of mobile telephone sites on the island. In accordance with advice from the Communications Commission and planning guidance Cloud 9 are seeking to share existing telecommunications facilities that already exist on the island.
National Grid Wireless is a radio site management company wholly owned by National Grid, the largest utility in the UK. National Grid Wireless owns or controls a significant proportion of the communications infrastructure suitable for use for electronic communications purposes both in the UK and on the Isle of Man. This includes a number of masts providing television and radio broadcast services. The existing telecommunications mast located at Union Mills Ballakerghy Marown. Is one such structure.
National Grid Wireless is the landlord prior to the submission of this application to the application being determined.
Need for the Proposed Development
The proposed development relates to the installation of ground based telecommunications apparatus for Cloud 9 at the existing telecommunications site located at Union Mills Ballakeghy Marown in order to enable them to offer mobile phone services to the residents of the island.
The development proposed at this site is one of a number of applications by Cloud 9 to develop a new mobile phone network on the island. This site will enable a new mobile operator to offer their services to the residents of the Isle of Man and in particular provide coverage to the urban area of Union Mills.
This work is of national importance since it will create competition within the mobile phone market and enable a greater range of services to be offered to the residents and businesses of the island.
Proposals
This application is in respect of the installation of telecommunications equipment by National Grid Wireless on behalf of Cloud 9 at the site of the existing 40m lattice telecommunications mast at Union Mills Ballakeghy Marown IM4 5RG.
This telecommunication mast site at Union Mills, Ballakeghy, Marown comprises an existing 40m lattice mast, which currently accommodates both broadcast equipment and emergency services equipment. At ground level there currently exists an equipment cabin for National Grid Wireless that accommodates the broadcast equipment and a large cabin for the Communications Commission that accommodates the emergency services equipment. The mast and ground based equipment are all located within a post and rail fenced compound.
The site is an established telecommunications site positioned above and to the north of the village of Union Mills. The site is remote from residential dwellings or other sensitive receptors.
The site and in particular the ground based equipment is well screened from views in that it is elevated and remote from sensitive viewpoints.
As mentioned above the antennas and dishes to be located on the existing mast have been indicated by the Planning Directorate to not require planning consent. As such the development subject of this application only relates to the installation of the ground based equipment cabinets and meter cabinet as well as the installation of cabling and associated development within the existing compound.
The equipment cabinets are to be located on the existing tower base within the fenced compound to the north west of the tower. A new electrical cabinet is to be located close to these additional cabinets and to the north west of these proposed cabinets. The locations of the proposed cabinets are detailed on the attached drawings. The meter cabinet would be located behind the proposed Manx equipment cabin and thus views of this cabinet as well as the equipment cabinets will be restricted.
The dishes and antennas to be located on the mast are also shown on the drawings for reference even though they do not form part of this planning application.
Photographs of the existing site including the location for the ground based equipment are enclosed with this application.
Access to the site is directly from the B32 road that is located to the east of the site. No amendments to this access route are proposed as a result of these proposals. Indeed, once constructed, no significant increases in the level of visits to this unmanned installation are envisaged.
The 1982 Development Plan, as amended by the various adopted Local Plans, provides the planning and land use designations and guidance for the Isle of Man. A Strategic Plan that intends to bring together and update the general planning policies in respect of the development and other use of land in the island is currently being drafted. The Strategic Plan will provide the strategic and general policy framework for development for the period 20012016.
Following public consultation the Planning Directorate produced proposed modifications to the plan in November 2004 for consideration at the public inquiry. The Strategic Plan currently has gone through the Inquiry and the Planning Directorate is considering the Inspector's report. The Strategic Plan will not be formally adopted until the Planning Directorate have published a notice of proposed modifications following a review of the Inspectors Report and after a period of consultation and assessment of any further representations.
Despite the Strategic Plan not being formally adopted it does provide an indication of the island's general strategic planning guidance. Of particular relevance is the core strategic aim of the Plan that is to plan for the efficient and effective provision of services and infrastructure and to direct and control development and use of land to meet the community's needs whilst having regard to the principles of sustainability and the protection and improvement of the environment.
Furthermore, Infrastructure Policy 4 of this Plan makes reference to a balance being required between the need for new communications systems for residents and businesses and the impact of such proposals on the environment. The encouragement of mast sharing is explicitly stated as one measure that can help to achieve such a balance.
These proposals aim to enable a new mobile phone operator to develop a network on the island and seek to make use of an existing and established telecommunications site. In consequence these proposals are considered to be in full accordance with the Government's key strategic policy objectives.
In addition, no extension to the site is required as part of these proposals with the whole development contained within the existing compound area. Furthermore, the proposals for the installation of ground based equipment cabinets, meter cabinet plus ancillary development relates to development that is smaller in scale than the existing and proposed large equipment cabins located on this site. The proposals will also not significantly increase the level of traffic to the site or alter the existing access arrangement to the site from the B32 to the east. As such the impact of the proposals on the environment is considered minimal and not contrary to any site specific land use planning policies.
In accordance with planning guidance we discussed these proposals at a meeting with the Planning Directorate on 12 December 2006 and detailed plans and description were provided in our prior consultation letter dated 14 December 2006, both of which have preceded this application.
Within our meeting and subsequent prior consultation letter we indicated that we considered the need to only consult with the Planning Directorate prior to the submission of our application. We have not received any indication from the Planning Directorate that this is to be changes as such there has been no amendment to this proposed scope of consultation.
The proposals subject of this application has had regard to the advice offered by the Planning Directorate. In particular following receipt of your letter dated 14 December 2006 and our discussions on this site and the other three sites which sought similar levels of equipment on the existing masts we have submitted this application on the same basis as the other three earlier applications. In consequence this application relates to only include the ground based elements of the proposals.
Site Selection
In accordance with Government advice the proposals by this new mobile phone operator is to make use of an existing and well established telecommunications site.
No amendment to the size of the existing site is proposed and our discussions in our meeting of 12 December 2006 indicated that the use of this existing site is considered acceptable.
Design Considerations
The additional radio equipment cabinets need to be located close to the mast itself and on level ground. The cabinet locations proposed have had regard to the location of the existing and proposed equipment cabins on the site. These cabinets will be very well screened from views due to the remote location of the site and the screening provided by the tower to the south east and the existing and proposed equipment cabins to the east and north. And as such sight of this cabinet will, on the whole, be seen in context of these larger structures.
The cabinets will be all located within the existing compound and will be below the height of the existing ground based equipment. As such the visual impact of the proposals will be minimal. Access to the site is also to remain unaltered.
No significant objections to the proposed siting and location of the equipment cabinets close to the mast were received during the pre-application consultations held with the Planning Directorate as such no amendments to their positioning or sizes have been proposed.
These modest works to this established telecommunications installation would not result in any material increase in visual prominence that might detrimentally affect the visual amenities of the area. Through siting and design the proposals therefore represent the optimum solution compared to the need to otherwise develop a new installation nearby.
In summary, the apparatus proposed is required to enable a new mobile phone operator to offer their services to residents and businesses of the island, in general, and, with this application, to the urban area of Union Mills.
The development of a new mobile phone network is considered of direct public benefit as it will create competition into the mobile phone market and increase the level of services available to residents and businesses.
Use is to be made of an existing installation and having regard to the existing telecommunications infrastructure located on the site the scope of these proposals is not considered significant and will not have an adverse impact on the site as a whole.
The proposals subject of this application seeks to add only ground based equipment. As such health and safety considerations in relation to this site are not considered of relevance. If however, your Authority require a certificate confirming compliance with the relevant ICNIRP guidelines on public exposure this can be provided on request.
This statement has demonstrated that the proposal is in accordance with Government guidance and the proposals comply with the policy objectives relating to improving the island's infrastructure and of minimising potential environmental impact. The proposals will lead to improvements to a public service (telecommunications) provided in the local area; as such the application merits support and accords in all respects with planning policy.
If for any reason you wish to meet to discuss the merits of the application or need assistance with any visits of the site and surrounding area, please let us know.
We trust everything is in order, but if you do require any further information or clarification, please do not hesitate to contact our Stephen N Butler 01619274203.
Yours sincerely
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