**Document:** Planning Application Support Statement **Application:** 18/00786/B — Erection of 12 metre lattice tower and equipment cabin for telecommunications purposes **Decision:** Permitted **Decision Date:** 2018-10-23 **Parish:** Lezayre **Document Type:** report / planning_statement **Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/11894-lezayre-ramsey-district-cottage-hospital-telecoms-mast/documents/1174816 --- # Planning Application Support Statement 161017 Planning Application Support Statement Ramsey cottage Hospital 12 Meter Lattice tower and Cabin FOR Sure (IOM) Ltd AT Sure Site 54 Ramsey Cottage Hospital Ramsey Isle of Man Planning Application Supporting Statement DATE: 4 July 2018 PREPARED BY: Steven L Allan Sure IOM Ltd Sure IOM REF: IOM_54 Ramsey Hospital ## 161017 Planning Application Support Statement Ramsey cottage Hospital ### sure ### Introduction In 2006/7 Sure Isle of Man Limited (Sure) was awarded an Isle of Man (IOM) Mobile Operators Licence, issued by the island's Communications Commission, to provide a mobile phone network and services to the island's inhabitants and visitors. This service competes with the incumbent operator (Manx Telecom) and allows greater choice and competition for consumers and businesses. The mobile phone network consists of a number of sites that house various pieces of equipment to provide coverage in the vicinity, such as panel antennae, and also transmission dishes that link sites together. Combined with other sites they are designed to provide an extensive, continuous network. Sure will endeavour, whenever possible, to install its equipment on existing infrastructure or radio transmitters. The aim is always to minimise the visual impact of providing mobile phone network infrastructure. Where this is not possible, and it is necessary to introduce additional telecommunications infrastructure, this supporting statement will justify why the infrastructure is required and demonstrate that the best possible design available for the site has been identified, keeping visual impact and amenity a priority at all times. It will also help to explain the decisions which led to the specific location being chosen and will outline which alternatives were considered and discounted. A variety of supporting information may be included with each application but ultimately Sure's aim is to minimise the number of new structures and reduce the visual impact of the network, whilst providing sufficient signal strength to provide coverage for customers to take advantage of a range of Sure's services. For the avoidance of doubt: a cell site, as referred to in this document, is a combination of equipment including cabinets, antennae and structures, required to facilitate the operation of a mobile phone cell. ## 161017 Planning Application Support Statement Ramsey cottage Hospital ### sure. ### The proposal The proposed development will consist of a 12-meter triangular, lattice tower within a dedicated compound enclosed on 2 sides by existing walls and on the 3rd by existing hedge row. A proposed small equipment cabin will be included to house the necessary electronic equipment needed to support the operation of the mast. ### The application site The proposed development site is located to the rear of Ramsey Cottage hospital near the existing boiler house. The existing 15 m boiler house chimneys are 18 m south east of the proposed location with 9 m high existing trees 3 m to the west. The application site currently has a bicycle shed situated on it. ### Site selection process and discounted options The proposed site, is designed to improved coverage to Ramsey cottage Hospital there for proximity to the Hospital is essential. The area round the Hospital is largely residential and a suitable site for a mast development was not identified. Other than near the Grove Museum (see alternative sites Considered). There is a possibly of a roof mounted mast however this would be visually intrusive and visible for all aspects round the Hospital, this option has been discounted. Within the hospital grounds a area near the generator/boiler house was identified as a potential site as there is an existing 15 m chimney close by and 9 m trees to the side of the proposed location. In this location the majority of the mast will be screened from view or have a backdrop of the existing Chimney structure. ### Pre-application consultation We have met with planning officers Jason Singleton to discuss this proposal. ### Planning History A number of planning applications have been submitted to develop the Hospital buildings but non-for the improvement of telecommunications infrastructure. ## 161017 Planning Application Support Statement Ramsey cottage Hospital ### sure. ### Need for the development Although radio coverage at Ramsey cottage hospital is just for voice calls is about acceptable, reliable data usage is sporadic. With the development of mobile communications moving to a pure IP basis, reliable data coverage is essential. With Sure now being the Mobile Phones service provider to IOM government, there is now a concentration of Mobile devices at the Hospital. In addition, as the Hospital has a high density of customers using their mobile devices while waiting, the network load in this area is particularly high. The Hospital environment is also very likely to be a key user of Internet of Things (IoT) services in the near future, at which point good quality mobile phone coverage will be essential. This mast will also have a significant positive impact on the users in its surrounding area. The Isle of Man Government recently launched its Digital Inclusion Strategy 2016-2021.It recognises the importance of online access and brings together partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors to help people get online. It's part of the Government's Digital Strategy, which aims to bring more services online and help more people to access them. The strategy notes the benefits of helping more people to get online including access to training and jobs, social and leisure activities and how it can help to address wider social issues and support economic growth. Good connectivity is vital to support this strategy and ensuring that areas of the island, such as are Ramsey Cottage hospital, have high capacity reliable mobile services to access the latest in technology is therefore key. Key for coverage maps ### LTE: Coverage by Signal Level (DL) 0 Best Signal Level (dBm) > = -70 Best Signal Level (dBm) > = -75 Best Signal Level (dBm) > = -80 Best Signal Level (dBm) > = -85 Best Signal Level (dBm) > = -90 Best Signal Level (dBm) > = -95 Best Signal Level (dBm) > = -100 Best Signal Level (dBm) > = -105 ![map or plan from page 6](https://images.planningportal.im/2018/07/133859.jpg) Current radio coverage in this area ![drawing from page 6](https://images.planningportal.im/2018/07/133860.jpg) Expected coverage should the proposed site be approved: ## 161017 Planning Application Support Statement Ramsey cottage Hospital ### sure. ### Alternative sites considered The only alternative site identified was in the fields round The Grove Museum. However, as the ground slopes away for the Ramsey Cottage hospital, down to The Gove Museum, a substantially larger development would be required. For a mast, in the area of The Grove Museum to significantly improve the mobile phone reception in the Ramsey Cottage Hospital it would have to be 22 m in height, which we view as being a poor option when considering the visual impact, it would have or, the green field area round the Museum. In addition, the distance and mature trees between the two sites would further reduce the ability, of a Mast build in the area adjacent to The Grove Museum, to improve mobile phone reception at Ramsey Cottage Hospital. ### 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 and Public ICNIRP compliance. Our design team is 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". ## sure. 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." 4) Isle of Man Government Digital Strategy and Digital Inclusion Strategy https://issuu.com/isleofmangovernment/docs/digital_strategy_v0.1?e=17903168/13316277 https://www.gov.im/media/1352205/digital-inclusion-strategy-july-2016.pdf 1.3 "Most people take digital technology and the internet for granted. It is something that has become so deeply embedded in daily life that it is hard to function when access to it is lost." 2.3 "In line with providing more digital services, Government needs to ensure that residents of the Island are equipped with the access, skills, motivation and trust to go online, to help those who want to be digitally capable to make the most of the internet." Sure IOM Ltd believes the proposed installation complies with the island's policies and strategies above. ## 161017 Planning Application Support Statement Ramsey cottage Hospital ### sure. ### Summary To summarise, we consider that this application suggests the optimum location and design for a proposed site. The current mobile network coverage plots, combined with the number of customer complaints received, demonstrate that there is a definite need for a site in this area to alleviate the extremely poor mobile network coverage in the estate. The coverage plots provided in this application show the significant improvement to the customer experience that a site in this location would achieve. The location and appearance have been carefully considered to best utilise the existing infrastructure to minimise visual impact. The proximity an existing structure, of grater height, will draw the eye and help minimise the impact on the visual amenity of the area. Therefore, the design proposed represents both the optimum planning, environmental and technical solutions in this instance. As such, we believe the development as proposed is in accordance with planning guidance as defined above. --- *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/11894-lezayre-ramsey-district-cottage-hospital-telecoms-mast/documents/1174816*