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| Site Name | Baldrine | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Site Address | Baldrine Methodist Hall Baldrine Road Baldrine | ||
| Easting | 242744 | Northing | 481132 |
| Site Type | Ground based monopole and ancillary development |
This supporting statement forms part of an application on behalf of Manx Telecom Limited to the local planning authority for a determination as to whether the prior approval of the authority will be required to the siting and appearance of the development. The application relates to the installation of a radio base station comprising of an 8.8m high monopole which would accommodate 6No antennas within a GRP shroud. The development would also involve the installation of 1No ground based equipment cabin and development ancillary thereto located adjacent to the Baldrine Methodist Hall. This installation is required to provide 2G and 3G mobile phone coverage to the Baldrine area.
Manx Telecom was formed in 1987 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of mmO2 Limited. 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 third generation technology. The purpose of this installation is to provide mobile phone coverage to the surrounding area. The proposal aims to fill a 2G coverage gap in the Baldrine area, while also providing 3G coverage to the population. For your information, the benefits of 3G coverage can be summarised as follows: -
These are a few of the advantages and it must be highlighted that these will be available direct to the phone handset. It is worth noting that Manx Telecom has a portfolio of high quality internet services and is a key player in the Isle of Man's strategy to develop the Island's potential as an offshore e-commerce centre.
The proposal is for the installation of an 8.8m high monopole supporting 6No antennas within a GRP shroud. The development would also involve the installation of a 2x2m equipment cabin and ancillary development adjacent to the Baldrine Methodist Hall. The proposed monopole would be painted dark brown in order to blend in with the existing telegraph poles. The equipment cabin could be painted olive green in order to reduce contrast between the installation and the surrounding planting.
The site is located to the southern edge of Baldrine. The Methodist Hall is located between the A2 through Baldrine and the railway line. To the west of the site, across the railway line is an open agricultural field. To the south of the site are the Methodist Hall car park and a small memorial garden associated with the Hall. To the east of the site, across the A2 and located on higher ground, are several large detached residential properties. These properties are set back from the road and are visually separated from the proposed site by large surrounding trees and the Methodist Hall itself. The closest residential property is located to the north of the site across Baldrine Road; however this property would not have any views of the proposed monopole due to the high level of screening in the form of trees and bushes.
The area surrounding the Methodist Hall contains a large number of mature trees which would ensure that views of the installation from the surrounding area would be limited. The installation of the monopole and ancillary development adjacent to the gable end of the hall will also help to minimise the appearance of the development.
The monopole design has been selected as it is a simple structure which can be painted in a dark brown colour so that it will blend effectively with the adjacent trees, shrubs, telegraph poles and infrastructure associated with the adjacent railway. The proposed site and coverage required for the surrounding area means that an 8.8m high installation will be required at this location. This height is the minimum required in order to ensure that the antennas exceed the height of the adjacent building.
It is considered that the proposed installation would form a congruous feature in the locale due to its sensitive design, siting and colouring. We have suggested that the monopole be painted dark brown in order to replicate nearby telegraph poles.
Policy IP4 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan (Modified Draft) 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 of redundant infrastructure.'
It is considered that the simple and slimline design proposed at this location will allow for the requisite apparatus to have a minimal visual effect on the amenity of the area. It is anticipated that the monopole will integrate into the surrounding area very successfully and will not be detrimental to the visual amenity of the surrounding area. There are no existing masts or other structures in the area that Manx Telecom could share in order to provide the required coverage to Baldrine. It is our considered opinion that the sensitive siting and design of the proposed installation would ensure that views of the installation would be limited therefore ensuring that there would be no adverse impact on any sensitive landscapes. The top of the monopole installation will be visible for a small section of the electric railway which runs adjacent to the site; however, it is our considered opinion that there will be no adverse impact on the character of the area. A photograph shown in Appendix 1 of this statement demonstrates the limited views of the proposed site from the railway.
As detailed in the Code of Best Practice, the options available to operators can be affected by site conditions, technical constraints, landscape features and capacity requirements. The main options available are mast/site sharing, installations on existing buildings and structures, camouflaging equipment, using small scale equipment and erecting new ground based masts. There are no existing telecommunications installations in the Baldrine area that are suitable for sharing. The search of the area did not identify any existing buildings or structures in Baldrine that would be suitable for telecommunications equipment. On this basis, it was considered that an additional ground based mast would be the only option. The proposed site was selected for the following reasons:
The Code of Best Practice encourages new ground based masts to be located close to similar structures. In this case, the proposed monopole will be located close to existing telegraph poles, therefore ensuring that the installation would form a congruous element in the area. The location of ground based masts adjacent to groups of trees is also encouraged. The proposed installation will be located adjacent to several trees which will provide effective screening and backdropping to the proposed pole when viewed from the surrounding area. Using simple and
unfussy designs can significantly reduce the impact of an installation on the surrounding area. As you are aware, the proposed installation subject of this application, is a slimline monopole with shrouded antennas, which will not dominate views from the surrounding area. The Code of Best Practice also confirms that appropriate colouring can have a significant impact on reducing the impact of telecommunications installations. It suggests that installations located adjacent to trees would be best coloured matt green or brown in order to reduce contrast. The proposed installation adjacent to Baldrine Hall will be painted dark brown in order to reduce contrast with the adjacent trees, while also giving the installation the appearance of a telegraph pole, similar to those existing in the surrounding area.
On the basis of the above information, we are of the opinion that the proposed installation, subject of this application, complies with the requirements in the Code of Best Practice.
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.
The proposals, which are the subject of this application, are designed to be ICNIRP compliant as demonstrated by the ICNIRP certificate included with this application.
It is considered that the design and location of the monopole and ancillary development would have no impact on the visual amenity and character of the surrounding area of Baldrine. There are no existing telecommunications sites available for sharing. As previously mentioned, the proposed monopole would benefit from screening and backdropping provided by the surrounding trees and would be viewed in the context of existing railway infrastructure. It is therefore considered that this site is the best option available in terms of minimising visual impact on the surrounding area while also providing the required level of 2G and 3G coverage. If you require any further information, please contact Ginny Hall of Mono Consultants Limited.
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