1 May 2025 · Committee
604-605, Kings Court, Ramsey, Isle Of Man, IM8 1lw
Permission was granted for Manx Telecom to install a telecommunications base station at Kings Court, a large apartment block located off Queens Promenade in Ramsey, Isle of Man. Kings Court is the northernmost and larger of two substantial apartment blocks that dominate this part of Ramsey. The rooftop is largely open, with some existing mechanical equipment including a lift motor room. The officer report identified the principle of development, justification for the installation, and design and visual impact as the key planning issues to be assessed. The application was approved by committee on 1 May 2025, subject to five conditions. No refusal reasons were raised.
The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture approved the application on 1 May 2025. The officer report considered the principle of development, justification for the installation, and design and visual impact as the main planning issues, and the proposal was found acceptable on all counts.
Spatial Policy 5
New development will be located within defined settlement.
Strategic Policy 5: New development, including individual buildings, should be designed so as to make a positive contribution to the environment of the Island. In appropriate cases the Department will require planning applications to be supported by a Design Statement which will be required to take account of the Strategic Aim and Policies. 4.4 Economy 4.4.1 The Spatial Strategy identifies the Major Employment Areas around the Island. While the majority of business and employment is focused around the Douglas Metropolitan Area, there are other major employment areas at Castletown, the Airport/Freeport, Peel, Ramsey and Jurby. The Department considers the distribution of employment areas provides a spread of employment opportunities around the Island. While recognising the opportunities for small scale local employment within existing centres it is considered new employment should, in the main, be concentrated within existing settlements or those major employment areas referred to in the Island Spatial Strategy and illustrated on the Key Diagram. Existing Local and new Area Plans will provide detailed boundar ies for these areas. From time to time Government may judge it appropriate to offer financial incentives to encourage economic activity or investment in particular parts of the Island.
General Policy 2
General Development Considerations (b,c,g)
General Policy 2: Development which is in accordance with the land-use zoning and proposals in the appropriate Area Plan and with other policies of this Strategic Plan will normally be permitted, provided that the development: (a) is in accordance with the design brief in the Area Plan where there is such a brief; (b) respects the site and surroundings in terms of the siting, layout, scale, form, design and landscaping of buildings and the spaces around them; (c) does not affect adversely the character of the surrounding landscape or townscape; (d) does not adversely affect the protected wildlife or locally important habitats on the site or adjacent land, including water courses; (e) does not affect adversely public views of the sea; (f) incorporates where possible existing topography and landscape features, particularly trees and sod banks; (g) does not affect adversely the amenity of local residents or the character of the locality; (h) provides satisfactory amenity standards in itself, including where appropriate safe and convenient access for all highway users, together with adequate parking, servicing and manoeuvring space; (i) does not have an unacceptable effect on road safety or traffic flows on the local highways; (j) can be provided with all necessary services; (k) does not prejudice the use or development of adjoining land in accordance with the appropriate Area Plan; (l) is not on contaminated land or subject to unreasonable risk of erosion or flooding; (m) takes account of community and personal safety and security in the design of buildings and the spaces around them; and (n) is designed having due regard to best practice in reducing energy consumption. 6.3 Development outside of areas zoned for development
Environment Policy 22
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.
Infrastructure Policy 3
Need for communications infrastructure versus environmental impacts
Condition 1
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.
Condition 2
Unless otherwise approved in writing by the Department, any telecommunications cabinet, mounted equipment or telecommunications structure must be removed from the building on which it is situated, within 6 months of it no longer being required for telecommunications purposes, and such the building must be restored to its condition before the development took place, so far as is practicable.
Condition 3
The proposed telecoms steel frame and affixed communication equipment here by approved shall be no higher than the stated heights when measured from the roof level as shown on plan referenced; 104_A.
C4
Prior to the installation of the mobile antennas hereby approved, the method of fixing and details of how the mobile equipment will be secured to the building shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Department. The equipment shall be installed in accordance with the approved details and retained as such thereafter .
Condition 5
The application here by approved shall be installed in accordance with drawing referenced 106-A and the written details as part of the submission, noting the mobile antenna technology type and equipment as considered as part of this application.
