14 February 2024 · Committee
Street Record, Ballamillaghyn Estate, Mount Rule, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM4 4hu
Permission was granted for the installation of six 9-metre wooden telegraph poles and associated overhead wires at Ballamillaghyn Estate, Mount Rule, Douglas. The poles are needed together to provide an overhead fibre broadband service to the properties in the estate. The estate consists of around 30 dwellings, mainly bungalows and chalet-style houses, with tarmacadam pavements connecting all properties. The poles would be positioned along these pavements. The application was assessed against the principle of the development, the suitability of the location, and the design and visual impact of the infrastructure on the residential area. The committee approved the application, subject to two conditions.
The application was approved on 14 February 2024. The key planning considerations were the principle of the development, the suitability of the location, and the design and visual impact of the poles and wires on the surrounding residential area and amenity.
Development should make the best use of resources
The proposal would not create any visual harm or intrusion into the site and surrounding area 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
General Development Considerations
The proposal would not create any visual harm or intrusion into the site and surrounding area and would conform to those parts of Strategic Policy 1, General Policy 2(b,c,g)
Need for communications infrastructure versus environmental impacts
The proposal would not create any visual harm or intrusion into the site and surrounding area and would conform to those parts of Strategic Policy 1, General Policy 2(b,c,g) and Infrastructure Policy 3.
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 wooden telegraph poles must be removed from the land on which it is situated, within 6 months of it no longer being required for telecommunications purposes, and such land must be restored to its condition before the development took place, so far as is practicable.
