**Document:** Telecom Site Supplementary Information **Application:** 12/01274/GB — Removal of louvres from four window openings and the installation of replacement GRP louvres (in association with 12/01275/CON) **Decision:** Permitted **Decision Date:** 2013-01-02 **Parish:** German **Document Type:** report / planning_statement **Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/17356-german-st-germans-cathedral-derby-road-removal-louvres/documents/1314094 --- # Telecom Site Supplementary Information ## Site Specific Supplementary Information RECEIVED ON 17 SEP 2012 ### 1. Site Details [Table omitted in markdown export] ### 2. Pre Application Check List Airport Director Consultation (only required for an application for prior approval) [Table omitted in markdown export] Developer's Notice [Table omitted in markdown export] ### 3. Proposed Development [Table omitted in markdown export] ¹ Macro or Micro Reinforced Plastic (GRP) louvers which will be designed specifically to match the colour and texture of the existing louvers which they will replace. GRP louvers are required in order to ensure that the signal from the proposed antennas can reach the surrounding area. The proposal will not result in any change to the exterior appearance of the Cathedral. The works within the bell tower are considered to be fairly minor and will have no adverse impact on the character or architectural importance of the listed building. ### 4. Technical Information ### 5. Technical Justification #### Enclose predictive coverage plots. ² The modulation method employed in GSM is GMSK (Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying) which is a form of Phase modulation The modulation method employed in UMTS is QPSK (Quad Phase Shift Keying) which is another form of Phase Modulation [Table omitted in markdown export] mobile phone networks as the growth in the average time spent online can be attributed to the use of the internet becoming more mainstream and accessible via mobile devices. Improved in-building coverage and capacity is a key objective of Manx Telecom's 3G network rollout. It is emphasised that the only reason Manx Telecom seeks to place a base station anywhere is to improve the service to its customers and planning authorities should not question the need for a proposed telecommunications development. Indeed it would not be financially viable for Manx Telecom to develop their existing networks further and invest time and monies into any particular case, if there was no demand for the mobile phone service it seeks to provide. Any new telecommunications base station should be seen as an important economic driver which is a material planning consideration. The proposed site at St Germans Cathedral is required in order to provide high quality 3G coverage to the streets and buildings in the central Peel area. The enclosed coverage plot entitled 'Peel Current 3G Coverage' shows that while the central Peel area benefits from an outdoor level of 3G coverage (illustrated by the yellow shading), there is a deficiency in the level of in-building coverage (illustrated by blue shading). This coverage deficiency means that customers may have difficulties gaining access to the full services available through the Manx Telecom 3G network when they are indoors. The coverage plot entitled 'Peel Composite 3G Coverage' illustrates the level of 3G coverage which would result from the existing Manx Telecom sites in Peel, in addition to the proposed site at St Germans Cathedral. This clearly illustrates that the proposed installation at St Germans Cathedral will ensure that the majority of the built up area of Peel will benefit from an 'in-building' level of 3G Manx Telecom coverage. ### 6. Site Selection Process – alternative sites considered and not chosen The specific coverage requirement in this area of central Peel means that the search area where a site would be operationally viable is very limited. There are two existing Manx Telecom base stations in the Peel area (one on Peel Hill to the west and one on the eastern edge of the town. The coverage from these two sites is not sufficient to provide high quality in-building 3G coverage in central Peel. On that basis, a new site is required in the central area of Peel to provide a continuous level of in-building 3G coverage to Manx Telecom customers in the area. The following table provides details of alternative sites that were considered and discounted prior to progressing with the site which is subject of this application (the locations are plotted on the aerial photo below): [Table omitted in markdown export] The following aerial photo shows the location of the alternative sites that have been discounted in relation to the search area which is shown as a red circle: Additional relevant information: ### Planning Policy and Material Considerations #### Isle of Man Strategic Plan (Adopted 2007) It is recognised by many that telecommunication networks are a core infrastructure asset for any modern economy and the Isle of Man Government need to plan positively for their installation and long term use. Infrastructure Policy 3 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan (Adopted 2007) deals specifically with communications systems and states: '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.' In accordance with Infrastructure Policy 3, an additional base station is required in central Peel in order to satisfy the residential and business demand for high quality in-building 3G coverage. A thorough search of the Peel area has shown that there are no existing telecommunications sites within the search area which would meet the coverage demand in the central Peel area. The proposal which is subject of this application involves the installation of telecommunications equipment within the bell tower of St Germans Cathedral, thereby negating the ![An aerial Google Earth view of a coastal town showing a red circle labeled 'Proposed Site' with numbered yellow markers around the perimeter.](https://images.planningportal.im/2012/11/158740.jpg) need for a ground based mast. While the proposal which is subject of this application is only for Manx Telecom, there would be sufficient space within the bell tower at St Germans to install equipment for an additional operator if the relevant louvers were replaced by GRP. It is considered that the sensitive design which is proposed at St Germans Cathedral, along with the importance of providing improved mobile communications coverage to the surrounding area, ensures that a good balance is struck between the need for evolving communications systems and minimising impact on the environment. In accordance with Infrastructure Policy 3, we can confirm that Manx Telecom would remove any equipment that becomes redundant in the future. Environment Policy 32 from the Isle of Man Strategic Plan relates to development affecting Registered Buildings and states that: "Extensions or alterations to a Registered Building which would affect detrimentally its character as a building or special architectural or historic interest will not be permitted." Environment Policy 35 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan deals with development within Conservation Areas and states: "Within Conservation Areas, the Department will permit only development which would preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Area, and will ensure that the special features contributing to the character and quality are protected against inappropriate development." The proposed installation of telecommunications equipment within St Germans Cathedral complies with Environment Policies 32 and 35 of the Strategic Plan as it will not result in any detrimental impact on the character of the building, or on the architectural or historic interest of the building. While there will be some minor works inside the bell tower, none of these works will be visible from the exterior of the building. The proposal will have no impact on the character and appearance of the surrounding area as it has been sensitively designed and concealed within the existing church tower. The replacement GRP louvers would be made specifically for the site and will be coloured and textured to match the louvers which are being replaced. The existing louvers (which would be removed) will be retained at a safe location within the Cathedral so that they can be re-installed if the telecommunications equipment is no longer required at this location. Overall, it is considered that the proposal complies with relevant policies in the Isle of Man Strategic Plan. ### Policy and Guidance Notes for the Conservation of the Historic Environment of the Isle of Man Special attention has been paid to the desirability of preserving the Registered Building, its setting and any features of special architectural or historic interest which it possesses. Particular regard has been had to the historic and special architectural importance of the building and particular physical features of the building that justify its designation as a listed building. The Introduction of the Policy and Guidance Notes states: "Above all Conservation means ensuring that, to the fullest possible extent, our built heritage remains in active use as an integral part of the living and working community, as a material asset that makes a positive contribution to economic prosperity and the overall quality of life which we enjoy on the Island." In accordance with the above aim, the proposed installation within the bell tower at St Germans Cathedral will meet the demands of modern day communications requirements in the area which in turn makes a positive contribution to economic prosperity and quality of life. Policy RB/5 related to Alterations to Registered Buildings and states: "In considering whether to grant planning approval for development which affects a registered building or its setting and in considering whether to grant registered building consent for any works, the Department shall have special regard to the desirability of preserving the building or its setting or any features of special architectural or historic interest which is possesses." It is considered that the proposal which is subject of this application would have a neutral impact on the setting and appearance of the Registered Building due to the sensitive siting and design of the proposed equipment within the bell tower. The proposal involves the installation of equipment within the bell tower and does not involve the permanent removal or alteration of any features of special architectural or historic interest. The proposal ensures that the heritage asset of the Registered Building is preserved while also providing the wider benefit of meeting the demand for high quality 3G coverage in the surrounding area. ### Code of Best Practice on Mobile Phone Network Development As detailed in the Code of Best Practice, the options available to operators can be affected by site conditions, technical constraints, landscape features and capacity requirements. The main options available are mast/site sharing, installations on existing buildings and structures, camouflaging equipment, using small scale equipment and erecting new ground based masts. As there were no suitable telecommunications sites in the search area, the search moved onto investigating the suitability of existing buildings and other structures in the search area. This search highlighted St Germans Cathedral as an option which would be suitable in terms of the coverage that would be provided to the target area and where a sensitive scheme could be designed in order to camouflage the proposed equipment. Paragraph 141-143 of the Code of Best Practice highlights that antennas can be effectively concealed behind GRP louvers within church towers in order to minimise any impact on the surrounding area. Paragraph 143 confirms that the installation of equipment within church tower has the advantage of using existing features and avoiding the need to create new and unnecessary forms of development. ### Health Considerations The issue of health and safety concerns regarding telecommunications apparatus has been the subject of recent media coverage within the UK. As you may be aware, an Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones (IEGMP) undertook thorough and in-going research with regard to the health effects of phones and base stations. The research found that: - ‘...the balance of the evidence does not suggest that mobile phone technologies put the health of the general population at risk.’ Court cases and appeals in the UK have established that health concerns are not a sufficient basis alone for withholding planning permission, notwithstanding any view the Authority may have adopted about current research in this field, providing it has been demonstrated that the proposed installation will comply with the ICNIRP guidelines. The proposal, which is the subject of this application, is designed to be ICNIRP compliant as demonstrated by the ICNIRP certificate included with this application. ### Contact Details [Table omitted in markdown export] --- *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/17356-german-st-germans-cathedral-derby-road-removal-louvres/documents/1314094*