27 June 2024 · Committee
Street Record, Fairway Drive, Ramsey, Isle Of Man, IM8 2bb
Manx Telecom Limited applied to install six 9-metre wooden telegraph poles with associated overhead wires along the pavements of Fairways Drive, Ramsey, a residential estate in the parish of Lezayre. The surrounding area is characterised by traditional and chalet bungalows. The application was refused by the committee on 27 June 2024, despite the case officer having recommended approval. The decision notice states that the height, size, and scale of the six poles would have a negative visual impact on the streetscene and harm its character. The officer report identified a range of issues for consideration including necessity, design and siting, visual impact, residential amenity, highway matters, public health, and effects on trees and hedges. The committee's refusal was based specifically on the visual harm the poles would cause in this bungalow-dominated residential setting.
The committee refused the application. The six proposed wooden telegraph poles, each 9 metres tall, were considered too large and prominent for a residential streetscape made up predominantly of bungalows. Their height, size, and scale were judged to cause a negative visual impact that would harm the character of Fairways Drive.
Refusal Reasons
Development should make the best use of resources
the proposal would not create any visual harm or deleterious intrusion into the streetscene and would conform to those parts of Strategic Policy 1
Strategic Policy 1: Development should make the best use of resources by: (a) optimising the use of previously developed land, redundant buildings, unused and under -used land and buildings, and re - using scarce indigenous building materials; (b) ensuring efficient use of sites, taking into account the needs for access, landscaping, open space (1) and amenity standards; and (c) being located so as to utilise existing and planned infrastructure, facilities and services. 4.2.2 In pursuance of (c) abo ve, the Department will, when formulating its programme for the preparation of new Area Plans, have particular regard to: (a) the availability of mains drainage connected to IRIS or other mains systems; (b) securing the future viability of rural primary schools; (c) the public investment in the Island's highway, bus, railway and tramway networks; (d) the provision and availability of water; and (e) community facilities. 4.3 Environment 4.3.1
Protection of the landscape and biodiversity
Named service centre (Ramsey)
General Development Considerations
Safeguarding the environment and/or the amenities of surrounding properties
Environment Policy 22: Development will not be permitted where it would unacceptably harm the environment and/or the amenity of nearby properties in terms of: i) pollution of sea, surface water or groundwater; ii) emissions of airborne pollutants; and iii) vibration, odour, noise or light pollution. 7.17.2 In addition to the above, changes in the activities associated with the current permitted use of land or a building, which in themselves do not constitute development and therefore do not require planning permission, can have an adverse impact on adjacent properties by virtue of noise, light or general disturbance. For example the addition of security lig hting on a property may cause light pollution affecting adjacent properties and the wider area. The introduction of new activities into established parks and recreation areas can have an impact on neighbours. In such cases the Department would advocate t he person or organisation considering the change to give careful consideration to the potential impact of such activity in terms of location, siting and design.
Need for communications infrastructure versus environmental impacts
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