**Document:** Cable and Wireless Supporting Statement **Application:** 11/00955/B — Installation of two telecommunications antenna on rear of building **Decision:** Permitted **Decision Date:** 2011-10-17 **Parish:** Braddan **Document Type:** report / planning_statement **Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/1298-braddan-winerite-victoria-road-telecoms-mast/documents/1164490 --- # Cable and Wireless Supporting Statement TELECOMMUNICATIONS INSTALLATION FOR CABLE & WIRELESS ISLE OF MAN LIMITED AT Winerite Victoria Road Douglas IM2 4EZ Planning Application Supporting Statement DATE: 24 June 2011 PREPARED BY: Paul Hadfield Cable & Wireless Cable & Wireless IOM REF: Winerite Received 8.7.11 11:00955 DEPARTMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING and BUILDING CONTROL Town and County 11 1999 Decision Appeal Page 1 Cable & Wireless Communications Second Floor, 14, Athol Street, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 1JA T +44 (0)1624 692200 www.surecw.com Cable & Wireless Isle of Man Limited, Postponated in the Isle of Man with Company Registration No. 0346215 261 Registration No. 05015655 06 Corporate, 1 A Defint, 26 Annexure, 1 0 G Selling CBF C.F. (Cron SMM) 1 A Selling, 3 Bldowls Registered Office: PO Box 164, 165 Main, One Circular Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, JM11 1NZ ## Introduction As a licensed Mobile operator on the Isle of Man, Cable and Wireless (C\&W) IoM Limited are continually striving to deliver a high quality mobile experience for all our customers. Our network development is now moving into a new phase where we have completed, or work is underway building the telecommunications sites identified in our initial build plan. We are now looking to add additional mobile sites to fill our known coverage gaps and hence compete more effectively against Manx Telecom. The C\&W mobile Radio Access Network (RAN) consists of a number of sites that have a combination of equipment, such as panel antennas that provide the mobile coverage and transmission dishes that connect the site back in to the wider telecommunications network. C\&W will endeavour, whenever possible, to install our equipment on existing infrastructure or radio transmitters. The aim is always to minimise the visual impact of our developing radio network. Where this is not possible and it is necessary to introduce the additional telecommunications infrastructure onto the Island this supporting statement will justify, both why the infrastructure is required and demonstrates that the best possible available site has been identified, keeping visual amenity as a priority at all times. It will also help to explain the decisions which led to the specific location being chosen and what alternatives were discounted. ## The proposal ![A photograph showing the side elevation of a large building with textured rendering and a flat roof overhang, set against a blue sky with trees in the background.](https://images.planningportal.im/2011/08/7146023.jpg) ![A photograph showing the side elevation of a concrete building with white mounting brackets attached to the wall, likely for the proposed telecommunications antennas.](https://images.planningportal.im/2011/08/21801.jpg) The proposed development consists of two 4ft panel antennas being mounted on the rear of the Winerite store on Victoria Road, Douglas. The antenna panels will not go higher than the existing roof height and be blended to the colour of the building. The supporting Nokia Flexi Base Station (size of a desktop PC) will be wall mounted inside the store. Below is a mock up drawing of the proposed installation showing the two 4ft antenna panels mounted on the rear of the building. ## The application site The proposed site is located on the rear of the Winerite store which is adjacent to an area of wasteland before the ridgeline drops down to Castle Mona Avenue. The rear of the store is already commercial as there are a number of structures in the vicinity such as an oil tank and machinery platform. The location of the site has been strategically considered to provide optimal coverage towards the Villa Marina and into the residential developments along the Central Promenade. Whilst the site provides good coverage to the target areas it has also been chosen from a visual amenity perspective as the antenna panels are well shielded from public view and will easily blend with the back of the building. ### Site selection process and discounted options This proposed installation at Winerite is the optimal site to provide the required coverage and have the least visual impact to the area. The proposed antenna configuration will not go above the existing roof height of the building and the natural elevation means a communications tower is not required. Also by using the latest Nokia technology all the supporting equipment can be located in the store. Other sites were considered such as Little Switserland and the Castle Mona Hotel however they were discounted as they would have required the construction of a communications tower and been much more visible to the general public. As a result of our extensive planning exercise we think that Winerite is the ideal choice for a site to be located. ### Pre application consultation This proposal has been discussed with Mr Ian Brooks at the planning department. ### Planning History This is our first planning application for this proposed site. ## Need for the development ![A site location map depicting a coastal area with street layouts and specific routes or boundaries highlighted in red, green, and yellow lines.](https://images.planningportal.im/2011/08/21804.jpg) As mobile technology has developed our customers are demanding increased coverage levels so they can fully benefit from new services such as High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) also known as Mobile Broadband. Our proposed site at Winerite will not only fill our coverage gaps along the Central Promenade and Castle Mona Avenue, it will also improve our customer's mobile data experience. ### Existing coverage Map - Central Promenade area The coverage map above shows that whilst we generally have good outdoor coverage along the Central Promenade, the signal is considerably weaker or unworkable as soon as you leave the sea front or go into one of the many residential properties in the area. Our proposed site at Winerite will provide improved coverage inside the Villa Marina complex and provide increased capacity to cater for large events. In recent years we have deployed a temporary mast in the Villa Marina car park to cater for these events. The site will also provide increased coverage for the large number of residential properties such as Spectrum Apartments and Castle Mona Avenue. Page 5 Cable & Wireless, Isle of Man, Limited 900 West 1st Street, London SW1H 9JJ Telephone: +1 444 001 1624 692200 www.surecw.com Cable & Wireless Isle of Man Limited 900 West 1st Street, London SW1H 9JJ Telephone: +1 444 001 1624 692200 www.surecw.com ## Siting and appearance ![A photograph showing the rear exterior of a white commercial building with a vehicle parked in a paved area featuring a directional arrow.](https://images.planningportal.im/2011/08/21807.jpg) In selecting this site the upmost care has been taken to reduce its visual impact. As installation is mounted on the real of a commercial building with natural elevation no communication tower is required. The 4ft antennas will be painted to blend with the back on the building and not go above the existing roof height. The picture above shows the rear of store including the oil tank and machinery shed. Also to the right of the shot is the wasteland before the ridgeline slopes down to Castle Mona Avenue. ## Accordance with Island Plan (2002) policy The proposed site does not have a specific or restrictive designation under the 1982 Development Plan, nor does it fall within an area of restricted building height due to Air Safety. ## Health & Safety This site has been designed in accordance with the current mainland UK Cellular operator's guidance for both Occupational & Public ICNIRP compliance. Our design Page 6 Cable & Wireless Communications Second Floor, 14, Athol Street, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 1JA T +44 (0)1624 692200 www.surecw.com Cable & Wireless Isle of Man Limited Recegement in the Isle of Man with Company Registration No. SC46212 641 Registration No. 002 5583 08 Emission: P.A. Deller, M. Heidrich D.G. Selling CBE C.P. Class 5M5K E.A. Searle, R. Endow Registered office: PO Box 166, 4th Floor, 104, Orcslar Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM99 1KJ consultants are satisfied that this site design complies with the above guidelines and therefore a signed ICNIRP certificate is enclosed with this application. ### Telecoms Policies 1. **Isle of Man Government Statutory Boards, Offices & Agencies Plans 2006-2009. Volume 3.** Page 25 under Communications Commission Aims & Objectives Section: Objective: Social inclusion – to enhance access to services for the whole population: > "We will enforce universal service obligations by telecoms operators with significant market power. They must provide telephone services throughout the Island." 2. **Isle of Man Government Statutory Boards, Offices & Agencies Plans 2005-2008. Volume 3 Page 20, under Communications Commission Aims & Objectives Section. Objective: The built Environment** – to reduce the visual impact of telecommunications and radio infrastructure on the Island's landscape. > "We will encourage increased mast sharing by broadcasters, under the Radio Masts Regulation Act Limitations." 3. **The Town and Country Planning Act 1999.** Page 101 "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 of redundant infrastructure. Exceptions to this policy would need to demonstrate a strategic national need, which cannot be otherwise secured by mast sharing or alternative locations." Cable and Wireless believe the installation complies with the Islands Policies above. ### Summary We consider this proposed installation as the optimum location and design for our coverage requirements and to have minimal visual impact. --- **Cable & Wireless Communications** Second Floor, 14, Athol Street, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 1JA T +44 (0)1624 692200 www.surecw.com **Cable & Wireless Communications** Second Floor, 14, Athol Street, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 1JA T +44 (0)1624 692200 www.surecw.com --- *Data sourced from the Isle of Man public planning register under the [Isle of Man Open Government Licence](https://www.gov.im/about-this-site/open-government-licence/).* *Canonical page: https://planningportal.im/a/1298-braddan-winerite-victoria-road-telecoms-mast/documents/1164490*