AP250025 2590377B Owner of 45 Slieu Dhoo and 35 Signatories Appeal Statement

Planning Appeals Inspector c/o Cabinet Office Isle of Man Government

Dear Sir/Madam, Appeal Ref: AP25/0025 - Planning Ref 25/90377/B Subject: Concern Regarding the Visual Impact of Proposed Telegraph Poles with Overhead Fibre Broadband Cables on Slieau Dhoo

Further to the letters from Planning & Building Control dated 22 July 2025, and the Cabinet Office dated 23 July 2025 advising of Manx Telecoms appeal to the Planning Committees refusal to the planning application to erect four telegraph poles in Slieau Dhoo, this is a joint letter from the residents of Slieau Dhoo following a meeting of the residents.

We are writing to express our concerns regarding the proposed installation of telegraph poles with overhead fibre broadband cables along Slieau Dhoo in Tromode Park. This particular road is located in the middle of an estate and currently features no street furniture apart from four existing street lights. Importantly, there are no existing poles or overhead wiring anywhere in the estate. All current utilities including current broadband are provided through underground cabling. The introduction of telegraph poles and overhead cables to a small part of the estate would represent a significant and incongruous change to this otherwise unobstructed and pleasant environment, with rural views and open aspects. This would create an area that is totally out of character with the rest of the estate.

Given the absence of existing infrastructure and the current visual simplicity of this area, we believe that the proposed overhead cables and poles could have an undue visual impact, disrupting the clean and open landscape. This could negatively affect the visual amenity of the estate and diminish the overall aesthetic quality of the area.

It was noted that in the application and the planning officers report that the poles would be more than 20 metres away from primary windows however this is incorrect as a number of the poles are only approximately 10 metres away from primary windows of living rooms and dining kitchens, which we feel will lead to a loss of light and privacy.

It has also been noted that this is not the only error in the planning report in that the properties have been described as bungalows and dormer bungalows, when the majority of the properties are actually substantial houses. The topography is very unique as the houses are built into a hillside, and the cables will be level with houses on one side of the road, and towering over the houses on the other side. We would highly recommend the Inspector visiting the estate in person to get a full understanding of the unique layout of the estate.

In the reason given for Manx Telecom's appeal they compare this estate to one where approval had been given. The estates are fundamentally different, plus the application for the other estate covered the whole estate which is not the case here.

Manx Telecom state in their appeal that we are a hard to reach area. We are in Douglas, the capital city of the Island, in the middle of a housing estate.

Properties just around the corner, within metres of the lower end of Slieau Dhoo, are being connected using underground cabling without the need for poles. This should continue throughout the estate to keep the visual attractiveness of the estate uniform.

Please note the overwhelming majority of residents are opposed to this planning application, even in the knowledge that it will delay the residents in getting access to the fibre broadband service.

Also in the appeal that Manx Telecom have submitted, they talk about costly roadworks. Cost should not be a consideration to overturn the Planning Committees decision.

Please also note that Manx Telecom has not engaged with the residents over this application, and did not turn up to the Planning Committee meeting where the application was considered. Following the decision of the Planning Committee Manx Telecom made the below statement to Manx Radio News. We are not sure what work they have done with the Stakeholders mentioned, but they have not had any engagement or interactions with the residents involved.

In a statement, Manx Telecom told Manx Radio: "Manx Telecom remains committed to delivering full fibre broadband to all Isle of Man residents by 2029, when our legacy copper network will be decommissioned.

"Our infrastructure approach prioritises existing underground ducting and third-party infrastructure wherever possible. Detailed site surveys explore all underground options first - only when these methods are unsuitable do we proceed with overhead deployment using poles.

"We acknowledge the planning committee's decision regarding Tromode and will work constructively with all stakeholders to find a viable solution for this area.

"With the 2029 copper switch-off approaching, collaborative problem-solving will ensure that all communities are included in the Island's digital transformation.

"We remain committed to finding solutions that balance infrastructure needs with community concerns while delivering reliable, high-speed internet access to every household."

We kindly request that the Planning Inspector carefully considers these factors when considering the appeal from Manx Telecom, which has previously been unanimously rejected by the Planning Committee, and upholds the rejection of the planning application.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We appreciate your consideration of the community's visual and environmental concerns.

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