17 June 2024 · Committee
22, Riverbank Road, Ramsey, Isle Of Man, IM8 3pr
Permission was granted for the installation of three 9-metre wooden telegraph poles and associated overhead wires along the pavements of Riverbank Road, Ramsey, a residential cul-de-sac of approximately 14 properties within a larger estate. The site sits to the north of Ramsey and is characterised by tarmac pavements, street lighting, and properties set back from the road with front gardens and varied boundary treatments. The officer's report noted that wooden telegraph poles and suspended network cabling are already present elsewhere in the wider estate streetscene. The application was decided by Committee and permitted. Key planning issues examined included the necessity of the infrastructure, its design and siting, visual impact, residential amenity, and effects on trees and hedges.
The application was permitted by Committee on 17 June 2024. The officer recommended approval, and the key planning issues considered included the necessity of the infrastructure, its design and siting, and its visual impact on the surrounding residential area.
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
