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LAND AT TOWER FARM, RAMSEY, ISLE OF MAN IM7 1AQ REPLACEMENT ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS INSTALLATION REQUIRED FOR THE DIGITAL SWITCHOVER PROJECT
WRITTEN STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF APPLICATION INCORPORATING THE DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT May 2008
National Grid Wireless Ltd Unit 3 Edward Court Altrincham Business Park Broadheath Altrincham Cheshire WA14 5GL Our Ref: 74011
1 INTRODUCTION ..... 3 2 THE DIGITAL SWITCHOVER PROJECT ..... 5 3 TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS ..... 8 4 DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT ..... 12 5 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS ..... 15
1.1 This statement is submitted in support of an application for planning permission made in respect of a replacement electronic communications installation on land at Tower Farm, Ramsey. The key features of the replacement installation is a new 15 metre tree mast that supports a number of antennas, including at the top, a panel antenna for television broadcasting, together with an associated ground based equipment cabin set within an earth bund. 1.2 The existing installation is on the nearby Albert Tower, which was installed by the BBC in the early 1970's, since when it has broadcast analogue terrestrial television services across the wider area. The BBC radio and television broadcast networks, were effectively privatised in 1997 and are now owned and operated by NGW. 1.3 The lease that enables us to use the Albert Tower is due to expire in the near future and we have been specifically asked to explore the possibility of relocating from the Albert Tower as it is now a listed building and should be restored to its previous appearance. 1.4 As set out in more detail below, NGW has engaged with the Commission in positive dialogue on potential alternative sites and possible design solutions for a replacement facility. That process has taken place over many months and has now culminated in this planning application. As this request to relocate has coincided with the Digital Switchover (DSO) project, the opportunity is being taken to incorporate the requirements arising out of that into these proposals. The proposed works are shown on the application drawings, but to assist, comprise the following:
1.5 As necessary any uncontaminated earth and materials excavated will be reused for fill and levelling. 1.6 In the next sections we highlight the benefits of the proposal and provide a reasoned justification for its approval in the context of relevant planning policy and other material considerations. Although not a specific requirement in the Isle of Man, we have as a matter of best practice also set out a Design and Access Statement.
2.1 The Digital Switchover (DSO) Project is a major transformation project that will see the UK switchover to fully digital TV region by region between 2008 and 2012. 2.2 Government and the industry regulator OFCOM are driving DSO. This is part of a wider and ongoing policy to improve and take maximum advantage of the many potential opportunities presented by electronic communications in all their diverse forms. A recent example of this is the report jointly published in March 2005, by the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit and the Department of Trade and Industry, entitled Connecting the UK: the Digital Strategy. 2.3 The letter dated 31 July 2006 from the Communities and Local Government, Culture Media and Sport and Trade and Industry Departments (for England) advises about DSO, its implementation by Arqiva and National Grid Wireless and the planned timetable. It also highlighted the significant public benefits associated with the project. The letter went on to provide specific planning policy guidance, which is referred to in more detail in the next section. 2.4 Government has identified three main public benefits and the letter gives a brief explanation about them. To help you better understand, we amplify upon these. 2.5 A clear digital divide exists between different parts of the UK, with some already benefiting from terrestrial digital television services via the Freeview platform, although even then, customers in different areas may only receive some of the channels potentially available. In addition, the current digital services are not robust in that most of the installations that provide service do not have sufficient reserve antennas to allow for continuous broadcasting in the event of a major failure to the primary system or to allow major maintenance works. 2.6 DSO will largely end this digital divide, which means with dew exceptions the population at large will be able to enjoy:
2.7 The latter illustrations will be of particular benefit to rural populations and less affluent sectors of society who are unable to afford personal computers. Interactive programming means, for example, that when the Olympics are staged in London in 2012, viewers will have greater control over the events they are able to watch, rather than have to watch the events selected by programming editors.
2.8 The second reason is that analogue television broadcasting uses a large amount of the radio spectrum, which is a finite and scarce resource. This is because the signals convey the full range of sound and visual content. By contrast digital technology converts this range into numbers, which can be compressed and transmitted in bursts or packages- the receiving equipment, then converts this back into the appropriate sound and picture. By these means several audio-visual services can be carried in the same spectrum which is used for a single analogue channel. The day to day comparisons where we have already seen the switch between technologies are, for example, old LP's to CD's, and videos to DVD's. 2.9 The switchover to digital will therefore free up a large amount of radio spectrum that the Government intends to make available to other users or services such as mobile TV or high definition TV. Some of these services will add to the range of electronic communication services available and stimulate competition to the benefit of the public at large.
2.10 The UK has always been a world leader in broadcasting, but as other countries move towards a digital platform, so the UK risks being overtaken. High quality transmissions and a wide choice of services offer obvious benefits to the viewing public. In addition, a high quality platform is critical to thriving culture and media industries, whose success brings about considerable benefits to the UK economy.
3.1 The terrestrial television network was largely developed by the BBC and the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) during the 1950's and 1960's. The BBC sites are now owned and operated by National Grid Wireless and the IBA sites by Arqiva. 3.2 Under the current arrangements, the BBC and the commercial broadcasters are responsible for the programming content, with NGW and Arqiva being responsible for the actual broadcasting into customer homes. 3.3 The analogue television network extends to a total number of 1,154 sites, which provide television coverage to about $99 \%$ of the UK population. There are three types of sites as follows: a. 50 Main Transmitter Stations (MTS) providing direct coverage to more than $80 \%$ of the UK Population b. 120 High Powered Relay Stations (HPRS) providing coverage to almost $15 \%$ of the UK Population c. 984 Low Powered Relay Stations (LPRS) providing coverage to just under $5 \%$ of the UK Population 3.4 The MTS's typically range from 150 to 250 metres in height, the most well known probably being our site at Crystal Palace. They are usually guyed masts located in rural areas. 3.5 The HPRS sites are generally 45 metres high lattice towers, but can extend to around 100 metre high guyed masts. 3.6 The LPRS sites are as low as 12 metres in height and many are like telegraph poles.
3.7 Programming is sent from the television studios by broadcast or cable link to the MTS sites where they are then broadcast across the country. The MTS sites can serve millions of viewers over a sub regional geographical area. 3.8 Owing to topography the MTS sites cannot provide high quality transmissions to all parts of their areas and so HPRS sites are used to pick up the signal from the MTS and then effectively boost coverage into where it is required. An HPRS based on the edge of an urban area could therefore provide coverage over tens of thousands of viewers. 3.9 Even with an HPRS pockets of poor coverage can remain and hence LPRS sites are deployed to provide localised infilling. LPRS sites therefore tend to serve only a few hundred viewers or households, but can serve several thousand. 3.10 Resilience in the network is provided by a series of rebroadcast signals between the MTS sites, so that programming links have more than one route into a site. The rebroadcast signals tend to use dish links between sites and may involve a series of links using the HPRS sites as hops along the way. 3.11 Because the programme links are fed into the MTS sites and they provide direct coverage over the bulk of the UK population and indirect coverage over the rest, they are absolutely critical to the television broadcast network. 3.12 The HPRS sites are also very important being they still serve large populations and are often used as a link in the chains of rebroadcast signals. 3.13 In addition to the analogue network, all the MTS and some of the HPRS sites are also used to provide a digital television broadcast network that is transmitted under the Freeview package. Freeview is consortium formed by the BBC, BSkyB and NGW following the demise of OnDigital. This network only covers about $75 \%$ of the UK population and as indicated above, because it has been squeezed onto the analogue platform does not have the same resilience as the analogue network.
3.14 DSO will not change the category or hierarchy of any of the installations nor the basic technology of broadcasting signals over wide geographical areas to be picked up by individual receiving aerials. To that extent the main characteristics of the network will remain unchanged, but more modern antennas will be used and greater use of satellite technology is expected for active site monitoring and some programme feeds.
3.15 The existing installation is an LPRS and so has a local function within the broadcast network. The installation is fed by the MTS/HPRS at Douglas and serves an estimated 3,500 households in the Ramsey area.
3.16 For DSO the Government and the regulator require the reuse and conversion of the existing analogue network. There are a number of reasons for this. Apart from town planning reasons, the are several operational ones, including:
3.17 The circumstances of the Albert Tower are fairly unique and so the possibility of relocating the installation has been explored with you. As part of this exercise a number of potential alternative sites were explored and discussed with you. For completeness, the Technical Report that assessed these and was a major factor in the selection of the application site close by the Albert Tower is provided again with this planning application.
4.1 The Design and Access considerations are examined in the context of the site and surrounding area, the relevant planning policy framework and the particular issues especially relevant to the determination of this application.
4.2 The Isle of Man Strategic Plan does not make any specific reference to the DSO project and we therefore encourage the Commission to have regard to the advice set out in the Government letter dated 31 July 2006.
4.3 This letter encourages us to follow a two stage consultative approach. To that end, Arqiva wrote on 26 September 2006 to forewarn you about the DSO project and to identify the particular sites on the Isle of Man that will need to converted, including the NGW sites. 4.4 An exceptional amount of dialogue has also been carried out on the specific proposals for this site as unusually this involves the relocation of the existing installation. 4.5 In addition, as the site is close to a listed building we have also consulted with Maughold Parish Commissioners and Ramsey Town Commissioners. 4.6 We have attached copies of any responses received and all points raised have been replied to and no further correspondence has been received. 4.7 The alterations proposed at an existing broadcast installation therefore accords with this advice.
4.8 The Government clearly advises that material considerations include the significance of the development as part of a national network. The particular role of the site has been explained together with the population dependent
upon it for terrestrial television services. Network considerations also guide the shape and form of the development proposed. 4.9 For this replacement low powered relay station, the antenna requirements can be confined to a panel antenna, $2 \log$ periodic antennas and a 900 mm diameter dish. As the site is well elevated, this means that it is possible to utilise a tree design. Following discussion with yourselves and the provision of a photo montage, the planning application is for the same type of design as that used by Cable \& Wireless for their base station nearby. There are a large number of conifers on the nearby ridge that are visible from Ramsey. To the casual observer, the Cable \& Wireless tower is read with these natural trees. At present it stands out as taller - the introduction of another similar tree should therefore have the benefit of ameliorating this effect and producing more visual balance. 4.10 The equipment cabin will be given similar sensitive treatment by being sunken within an earth bund, surrounded by stock proof fencing appropriate to a rural setting. 4.11 Taking into account the consequential removal of the existing broadcast apparatus from the Albert Tower, the overall effect of the development should be acceptable to its appearance and setting. 4.12 With regard to access, once installed and operational the permanent works should not result in any material change to the existing level of activity and traffic already generated through the lawful use of the Albert Tower as part of a national television broadcast network. 4.13 In conclusion, having regard to Infrastructure Policy 4 the development proposed strikes an appropriate balance between operational and environmental considerations. Insofar as any exception to this policy might be construed, the need to maintain television coverage and to implement DSO constitute a strategic national need to justify an exception.
4.14 The new installation will be compliant with the relevant ICNIRP guidelines on public exposure and a certificate to this effect has accordingly been submitted with this application.
5.1 The application relates to works necessary to relocate and convert an existing television broadcast installation from analogue to digital. This is required by the UK Government as part of a national transformation project known as the Digital Switchover. 5.2 Digital switchover will bring about a number of significant benefits. Of especial importance at local level, existing terrestrial services will be improved through greater universal choice and quality. The spectrum released through the project will also spur the next generation of electronic services available to the public, such as mobile TV and high definition TV. 5.3 The existing installation is a Low Powered Relay Station and is of great importance within the local area as it provides television coverage to a large number of people. 5.4 In bringing forward the application, an exceptional amount of prior consultation has taken place owing to the need to find an acceptable alternative site and to explore possible design solutions. 5.5 That long process has culminated in the selection of the application site over other alternatives explored and the selection of a sensitive tree design, together with radio equipment housing set within an earth bund, like the nearby Cable \& Wireless structure. As a consequence the development should be acceptable having regard to its immediate and wider setting. 5.6 NGW has been pleased to co-operate with the request to relocate from the Albert Tower. Taking into account also the removal of the existing broadcast apparatus from the Albert Tower, the development should also be acceptable in terms of the appearance and setting of that listed structure. 5.7 The site will continue to comply with the relevant ICNIRP guidelines on public exposure and a certificate has been supplied to this effect.
5.8 As a consequence the development proposed strikes an appropriate balance between operational and environmental considerations and so accords with Infrastructure Policy 4 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan. 5.9 In conclusion, having regard to all relevant matters, we respectfully request the planning permission sought.
May 2008
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