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| Site Name | Castletown – George Hotel | ||
| Site Address | Parade Square Castletown Isle of Man | ||
| Easting | 226375 | Northing | 467360 |
| Site Type | Face-mounted micro-cell |
This supporting statement forms part of an application for full planning permission on behalf of Manx Telecom Limited. The application relates to the installation of a radio base station comprising of 1no. face-mounted microcell panel antenna and development ancillary thereto located at The George Hotel, Parade Square, Castletown, Isle of Man.
Manx Telecom was formed in 1987 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of mmO2. The Company holds licences to run fixed and mobile networks on the Isle of Man. In December 2001 Manx Telecom became the first telecoms company in Europe to have a live 3G mobile phone network.
When undertaking the site search and the assessment of potential sites, any conservation issues and/or other designations will be fully taken into account when selecting the preferred site. Examples include development plan policies, land use designations and conservation areas. These are then assessed in order to achieve a suitable design solution whilst not compromising the quality of the surrounding area and features.
As previously stated, the Isle of Man already benefits from mobile technology. The purpose of this installation is to improve upon the existing network and ensure that a further section of the population can enjoy the benefits.
The proposals are for the installation of a microcell panel antenna to be face-mounted onto the front elevation of the building and painted an appropriate colour to match the building. It is proposed that the associated equipment cabinet shall be located in the basement of the hotel and linked to the antenna by feeder cables running up the side of the building. The approximate size of the microcell will be akin to that of a standard burglar alarm box. Accordingly, the matched colour the minimal design and the internal housing of the cabinet will result in a visually acceptable solution to accommodate Manx Telecom's needs for the area.
Policy 4 – Infrastructure – deals specifically with communications systems and states: -
'A balance must be struck between the need for new, evolving 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 on redundant infrastructure.'
It is our considered opinion that the proposals to which this application relates are in accordance with the above policy by employing an innovative, visually unobtrusive type of installation which will be colour matched to the wall of the building on which it is to be located.
The issue of health and safety concerns regarding telecommunications apparatus has been the subject of recent media coverage within the UK. As you may be aware, an Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones (IEGMP) undertook thorough and in-going research with regard to the health effects of phones and base stations. The research found that: -
'...the balance of the evidence does not suggest that mobile phone technologies put the health of the general population at risk.'
Court cases and appeals in the UK have established that health concerns are not a sufficient basis alone for withholding planning permission, notwithstanding any view the Authority may have adopted about current research in this field, providing it has been demonstrated that the proposed installation will comply with the ICNIRP guidelines. An ICNIRP Declaration Certificate is enclosed with this statement.
Given the minimal nature of the proposals and the use of colouration against the existing building, it is considered that these proposals represent a strong planning solution whilst accommodating Manx Telecom's requirements for the area. If you require any further information, please contact Laura Marshall of Mono Consultants Limited.
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