Installation of 2 telegraph poles to provide fibre optic connectivity to 19, 20, 21, 22 and Beech House Barrule Park

Why Was This Refused?

• ✓Two wooden telegraph poles proposed to deliver fibre optic connectivity to five properties at Barrule Park, Ramsey
• ✓Street scene consists predominantly of traditional bungalows and chalet bungalows with properties fronting close to the highway
• ✓Poles considered visually intrusive due to their height, size, and scale in this residential setting
• ✓Application failed to demonstrate strategic national need for the infrastructure
• ✓No adequate justification provided for why alternative delivery options were not pursued
• ✓character
• ✓scale
• ✓amenity
• ✓contrary to Infrastructure Policy 3

This application sought permission to install two wooden telegraph poles and associated cabling at Barrule Park, Ramsey, to provide fibre optic connectivity to five properties. The street is characterised by a mix of traditional bungalows and chalet bungalows, with properties generally set close to the highway. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture refused the application on 30 January 2026. Officers found that the poles, given their height, size, and scale, would have a negative visual impact on the character of the street scene to an unacceptable degree. A second reason for refusal was that the application did not demonstrate a strategic national need for the infrastructure, nor did it adequately justify why alternative options had not been explored. Together, these concerns meant the proposal could not be supported.

The application was refused on two grounds. First, the height, size, and scale of the wooden telegraph poles and their cabling would harm the character of a street scene made up predominantly of bungalows. Second, the proposal fails to demonstrate a strategic national need for the infrastructure or to show that alternative options were adequately considered, making it contrary to policy that requires communications infrastructure to be balanced against its environmental impact.

Policies Assessed (4)

Planning History (10)

Documents (14)