11 November 2025 · Committee
Street Record, Bellevue Park, Peel, Isle Of Man, IM5 1uq
Manx Telecom applied to install 8 wooden telegraph poles along the pavements serving 1–41 Bellevue Park and 1–17 Carmane Close in Peel, to provide fibre optic connectivity to those properties. The site sits within a wider residential estate, with properties on the east side of the road sitting at a higher level than those to the west due to the sloping ground. The committee refused the application on 11 November 2025, despite the case officer having recommended approval. The key issues considered included the principle of the development, its necessity, design and siting, visual impact, and residential amenity. The formal reason for refusal was that the height, size, and scale of the proposed poles and cabling would have a negative visual impact that adversely affects the character of the streetscene.
The committee refused the application. The decision notice states that the height, size, and scale of the proposed wooden telegraph poles and their associated cabling would have a negative visual impact on the character of the streetscene in this residential area.
Refusal Reasons
Infrastructure Policy 3
Need for communications infrastructure versus environmental impacts
General Policy 2
General Development Considerations (b,c,g,i,m)
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
Strategic Policy 1
Development should make the best use of resources (c)
Environment Policy 22
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.
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