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Structure Height Reduction FOR Sure (IOM) Ltd At Sure Site 10 Broadcast House Douglas Head Road Douglas Isle of Man DATE: 2nd April 2025 PREPARED BY: Alex Taylor Sure IOM Ltd
Sure, are proposing to reduce the height of the tower to improve wind loading, intention to remove the top 2 sections which will allow for added load on the lower sections.
The proposed structure will be reduced to a 23-meter square lattice, capable of supporting multiple panel antennas, providing 2G, 3G and 4G/4G+ coverage in the area along with capability to support next generation mobile antenna technology, tower mounted remote radio heads (RRHs) will also be mounted near the new antennas, these are required to support MIMO* on the network.
*MIMO, Multiple In Multiple Out, this is a protocol required for higher speeds and high capacity 4G/LTE
The proposed location for these works is on the existing structure located at Broadcasting House, Douglas Head.
We believe that the continued use of the location will provide the best coverage to the area, other options would be to build a new structure adjacent to the existing tower or in the surrounding area, however, this would increase the visual impact of telecoms structures in the area, whereas the proposed plans to reduce the current structures height will decrease the visual impact in the area.
We believe that the visual impact of the proposed structure will be reduced, due to the structure type being decreased in height, as the slimline lattice will not be replaced, we believe that the structure will be less visually intrusive than previously due to the height reduction any other modern replacement would also have no further visual impact than what is already present. As the current structure is not a solid structure, but rather one that you can essentially look through, it blends in with the surroundings.
The structure itself is a galvanised tower, this helps with mitigating visual impact further due to the structure blending better with the sky behind as you look up at it from surrounding areas
The proposed mast will be reduced in height from 32.6m to 23.1m lessening the visual impact of the current structure.
The proposed location will be in the same location as the current structure.
There will be no external cabinets on this site, all ground equipment will remain in the telecoms room adjacent to the structure.
The following antennas have been selected for the new proposed structure, the visual impact of the antennas should be minimal, due to the structure type and the neutral colour of the panel antennas.
Antenna Type
Active Antenna Unit (AAU)
Antenna Manufacturer
Ericsson
Antenna Height
539 mm
Antenna Width
370 mm
Antenna Depth
126 mm
Antenna Frequency Ranges
3550–3700 MHz
Antenna Type
2m Panel Antenna
Antenna Manufacturer
Ericsson
Antenna Height
1978mm
Antenna Width
378mm
Antenna Depth
164mm
Antenna Frequency Ranges
698–960 MHz 1427–2690 MHz
Equipment Type
RRU Remote Radio Unit
Equipment Manufacturer
Ericsson
Equipment Height
557mm
Equipment Width
398mm
Equipment Depth
190mm
Antenna Frequency Ranges
698–960 MHz 1427–2690 MHz
The current structure is incapable of supporting the additional weight of modern radio equipment, with the height reduction this structure will be able to support modern radio equipment from Sure and other vendors due to its improved loading strength.
This will enable the surrounding areas to have access to the next generation of mobile technologies available, these improvements directly support the Isle of Man Governments ‘Island Plan’ which has a vision of a digitally connected Island, that supports a tech enabled and future ready jurisdiction, The surrounding area will benefit from greater network capacity and service due to these improvements to the Sure mobile site.
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.”
Sure IOM Ltd believes the proposed installation complies with the Island’s policies and strategies above.
There are a couple of trees outside the boundary of the site that are within 15-meters of the structure, however, the proposed development will have no impact on these as we are only proposing a height reduction on the current structure, there will be no works outside of the site boundary that would effect these trees.
To summarise, we consider that this application will offer the best available solution to the enhancement of mobile service on the Sure network in the area.
The proposed work to the site will enable Sure to provide improved, reliable coverage to residents and businesses in the surrounding areas, giving them access to the next generation of telecommunication services.
Therefore, the design proposed represents both the optimum planning, environmental and technical solutions in this instance. As such, we believe the development as proposed is in accordance with planning guidance as defined above.
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