**Document:** Officer Report 08/00769/B
**Application:** 08/00769/B — Installation of equipment cabinets
**Decision:** Refused
**Decision Date:** 2009-01-28
**Parish:** Lezayre
**Document Type:** report / officer_report
**Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/85351-lezayre-communications-site-raby-farm-main-equipment-cabinets/documents/1525356

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# Officer Report 08/00769/B

**Application No.:** 08/00769/B
**Applicant:** National Grid Wireless
**Proposal:** Installation of equipment cabinets
**Site Address:** Communications Site Raby Farm Main Road Glen Maye Isle Of Man ### Considerations Case Officer : Mr Ian Brooks
**Expected Decision Level:** Acting Senior Planning Officer ### Written Representations ### Consultations Consultee : Highways Division Notes : Consultee : Patrick Commissioners Notes: No Comment

### Officer's Report

### Description Of Application Site

The application site is a telecommunication site at Raby Farm, Glen Maye. The site comprises an existing 20 m lattice mast, which currently accommodates both broadcast equipment and emergency services equipment. At ground level there currently exist a number of equipment cabins.

### Proposal

The application is seeking approval for the two cabinets at the base of the existing radio mast. One of the cabinets will be . The other cabinet will be . The heights of the cabinets are unknown. The cabinets are to be colour coated green.

### Development Plan Policies

Within the adopted Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2007, the following policies are considered to be relevant in the determination of this application: General Policy 3, Environment Policies 1 and 2, and Infrastructure Policy 3.

General Policy 3 states that "Development will not be permitted outside of those areas which are zoned for development on the appropriate Area Plan with the exception of:
- (a) Essential housing for agricultural workers who have to live close to their place of work;

- (b) Conversion of redundant rural buildings which are of architectural, historic, or social value and interest;
- (c) Previously developed land which contains a significant amount of building; where continued use is redundant; where redevelopment would reduce the impact of the current situation on the landscape or the wider environment; and where the development proposed would result in improvements to the landscape or wider environment;
- (d) The replacement of existing rural dwellings;
- (e) Location-dependant development in connection with the working of mineral or the provision of necessary services;
- (f) Building and engineering operations which are essential for the conduct of agriculture or forestry;
- (g) Development recognised to be of overriding national need in land use planning terms and for which there is more reasonable and acceptable alternative; and
- (h) Buildings or works required for interpretation of the countryside, its wildlife or heritage."

Environment Policy 1 states that "The countryside and its ecology will be protected for its own sake. For the purposes of this policy, the countryside comprises all land which is outside the settlements defined in Appendix 3 at A.3.6 or which is not designated for future development on an Area Plan. Development which would adversely affect the countryside will not be permitted unless there is an over-riding national need in land use planning terms which outweighs the requirement to protect these areas and for which there is no reasonable and acceptable alternative."

Infrastructure Policy 3 states that "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."

## Relevant Planning History

The following previous applications are considered relevant in the consideration of this application: 07/00053/B - Installation of equipment cabinets and ancillary development - granted on 2nd March 2007

03/01854/B - Installation of 3 antennas, 2 dishes and location of equipment cabin - granted 11th March 2004 00/00076/B - Erection of replacement mast with antenna and dish and location of equipment cabin granted 14th June 2000 Erection of UHF television relay station - permitted on review.

### Representations

Patrick Commissioners have resolved that no comment would be made on the application

### Assessment

There is a preliminary issue prior to considering whether the plans submitted are acceptable in order to accurately assess the application.

The original application was submitted with a proposed site plan, north east elevation and a headframe detail for the mast. Following a review of the plans, the north east elevation does not show the proposed cabinets. The applicant was requested to submit an additional elevation, namely the south east elevation, so as to show the cabinets. The applicant has submitted a revised plan, which was received on the 8th September 2008. However, it was noted that the additional elevation submitted, which is marked up as being the south east elevation is in fact the south west elevation. The applicant was notified of this fact on the 18th September so as to arrange a further plan to be submitted.

On the 18th December 2008, an amended plan was received showing the south east elevation; however, the plan is the same as the plan which was received on the 8th September. The application does not provide any elevations of the proposed cabinets, which show the height of the cabinet. It is considered the application is inadequate in order to accurately assess the proposal.

### Conclusion

It is recommended that the application be refused for the above reasons.

### Recommendation

**Recommended Decision:** Refused

**Date of Recommendation:** 20.01.2009

### Conditions and Notes for Approval / Reasons and Notes for Refusal

C: Conditions for approval N: Notes attached to conditions R: Reasons for refusal O: Notes attached to refusals

R 1.

Insufficient detail has been submitted to accurately assess the impact of the proposal on the visual amenities of the locality.

I confirm that this decision accords with Government Circular No 56/08 (Delegation of Functions to the Acting Senior Planning Officer), GC 55/08 for Advertisements and 69/08 for Registered Buildings.

**Decision Made:** Refused
**Date:** 27/1/09

**Signed:** DBM
Acting Senior Planning Officer

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*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/85351-lezayre-communications-site-raby-farm-main-equipment-cabinets/documents/1525356*