15 December 2021 · Committee
Manx Telecom Ltd, Douglas North Telecommunications Centre, Greenfield Road, Douglas, Isle Of Man, IM2 6ed
Permission was granted for the erection of 12 cooling units and a level access to the north elevation of the Douglas North Telecommunications Centre on Greenfield Road, Douglas. The site is an existing Manx Telecom communications facility enclosed by security fencing, with residential properties to the west and north-west, a crematorium and cemetery to the south, and a college to the north and north-east. Various cooling equipment is already present on the site. The main planning issues assessed were the principle of development, visual impact, and noise impact. The application was approved by committee on 15 December 2021, subject to one condition.
The application was approved by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture. The key planning issues considered were the principle of development, visual impact, and noise impact, all of which were found to be acceptable.
Objective at 7.4 (iv)
Area Plan for the East (2020)
7.13.1
Area Plan for the East (2020)
7.13.4
Area Plan for the East (2020)
General Policy 2
Strategic Plan (2016)
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
Environment Policy 22
Strategic Plan (2016)
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.
Condition 1
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice.
