Planning Committee Statement Case

Appeal 2594 – J Trowsdale

PA 04/01844/B – Installation of two VHF antennas, Kings Court, Ramsey.

The application site comprises of part of the roof of the Kings Court Apartments in Ramsey.

The application site has not been the subject of any previous relevant planning applications.

The Planning Committee initially considered the planning application on the 1st April 2005 with comments being submitted by Ramsey Town Commissioners, the Department of Transport Highways Division and a significant number of third parties.

Ramsey Town Commissioners deferred comment until further details of perceived health risks and interference were received. The Department of Transport Highways Division advised that they considered there to be no adverse traffic impacts arising from the proposed development. All of the third parties, mainly occupants of Kings Court, objected to the planning application. The grounds for their objections can be summarised as concern over radio/television interference, concern over perceived health implications and concern over visual impact.

The application was initially approved on the 1st April 2005 with the initial approval decision notice issued on the 14th April 2005. Copy of the initial approval decision notice is enclosed as appendix 1.

A review of the initial decision was sought by various third parties and the Planning Committee considered this on the 17th June 2005. They determined to confirm the initial approval decision and the review approval notice was issued on the 28th June 2005. Copy of the review approval decision notice is enclosed as appendix 2.

This application seeks approval for the installation two VHF antennas onto the roof of Kings Court. The development is connected to the broadcasting set up of 3FM, a local radio station. The application is retrospective as the antennas have already been installed.

In terms of assessing development the Planning Committee has a duty to examine development against material planning considerations. In the case of the installation of the two antennas the only material planning consideration is the visual impact of the installation. The Department considers that the issues of radio/television interference and perceived health implications are not material planning considerations and therefore cannot form reason for refusal.

With regard to visual impact it is considered that due to the size of the two antennas, their location and their position that the visual impact of the development is relatively modest and acceptable. Accordingly, the Planning Committee considers the installation of the two antennas to be acceptable.

The Planning Committee recommended that the application be approved in accordance with the review approval decision notice dated the 28th June 2005.

This statement has been prepared on behalf of the Planning Committee by Mr A Holmes, BA(Hons) DipTP(UC) MRTPI, Planning Officer.

A Holmes Date 26/7/05

Source & Provenance