6 February 2026 · Delegated - Head of Development Management (Stephen Butler)
Street Record, Westbourne Close, Ramsey, Isle Of Man, IM8 2es
The proposal involved erecting three 9m tall wooden telegraph poles (250-300mm diameter, projecting 7-7.5m above ground) with associated overhead cables on public footpaths in Westbourne Close, a residential cul-de-sac in Ramsey featuring predominantly bungalows, some chalet bungalows, and two-storey properties with la…
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The officer concluded that the 9m wooden poles and overhead cabling would introduce visually intrusive infrastructure into an open, uncluttered street scene of predominantly bungalows and chalet bunga…
General Policy 2
Requires development to respect character and appearance of locality (b,c), not adversely affect character of streetscape (g), and protect highway safety (i). Officer assessed poles as incongruous in pole-free bungalow street scene, exceeding property heights, causing visual harm and highway risk from pole 3 positioning, failing these tests despite compliant principle.
Infrastructure Policy 3
Balances need for communications infrastructure against environmental impact, with presumption against visually intrusive masts unless strategic need demonstrated and alternatives pursued. Officer found strong national broadband need but insufficient justification for overhead poles over underground options in sensitive setting; recent appeals upheld similar refusals where cost not outweighing harm.
No objection if pole 3 repositioned at least 450mm from kerb (but ultimately objected due to non-compliance)
Both a resident from 14 Westbourne Close and Ramsey Town Commissioners objected to the installation of 3 telegraph poles due to visual intrusion, incompatibility with the residential character, and conflicts with Isle of Man Strategic Plan policies.
Key concern: negative visual impact from tall poles and overhead wires adversely affecting residential street scene character
14 Westbourne Close
ObjectionThe introduction of tall timber poles and overhead wires would be visually intrusive, out of keeping with the area’s scale.; We are in the 21st Century and surely all services should be below ground; Manx Telecom... must not be permitted to install the 9-metre-high wooden poles purely as a cost cutting measure.
Ramsey Town Commissioners
ObjectionRamsey Town Commissioners have resolved to object to this proposal.; The proposed installation of wooden telegraph poles would result in a narrowing of the footpaths, both the poles and their associated cabling amongst the street scene due to the height, size and scale of the proposals would have a negative visual impact that adversely affects the character of the street scene and would be contrary to General Policy 2 (b, c, g & h) of the Strategic Plan.; Other less visually intrusive development methods are available as demonstrated by the applicants own publicly available literature.
