Siting of 21m high telecommunications mast including a radio station, 3 antennas, 2 equipment cabinets, ancillary equipment together with a 1.8m high security fence.
LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor Judith M Humphreys
Link to relevant background documents
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Erect a 21m high telecommunications mast, including
a radio station, 3 antennae, 2 equipment cabinets, associated equipment,
together with a 1.8m high security fence.
(a) The
Planning Manager elaborated on the background of the application, noting that this
application was deferred at
the Committee meeting on 4 September 2017. It was noted that the site was located on the outskirts of Penygroes at
the rear of the telephone exchange site which
contained one permanent single-storey building.
Attention was drawn to the additional observations
that had been received.
It
was noted that the general requirements of Policy PS3 of the JLDP permitted
infrastructure proposals that sought to extend or improve connections via
existing communication technologies and those being developed.
It was explained
that Planning Policy Wales stated clearly in relation
to the implications of such
development proposals on health, that
the Welsh Government was of the opinion
that local planning authorities should not further consider any health
impacts or the concerns about them when
processing an application for planning permission or approval beforehand if the development satisfied the requirements of the
International Commission on
Non-Ionizing Protection
(ICNIRP) Public Exposure Guidelines. Information had been received from
the applicant indicating compliance with these standards.
It was noted
that with this type of development
it was inevitable that the proposed main structure would be partly visible from public
places as it needed to be in a fairly open
location to ensure that it operated to its full capacity.
It
was considered that the development was unlikely to have any obvious long term
impact on the visual amenities of the local area. It was reported that a late
objection had been received regarding the impact of the development on the
ancient monument of Caer Engan,
CADW had been consulted and confirmation was received that they had no
objection to the proposal.
The development
was acceptable in terms of relevant local and national
policies for the reasons noted in
the report.
(b) The following main points were made by a member who was acting as
a local member (not a member of this Planning Committee):-
·
That the local
community was concerned about the negative impact of the development and were anxious
for it to be re-located;
·
In accordance with the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act
2015, there was a duty to take stock and
ensure short and long term needs;
·
Reference was made
to international studies and appeals which
showed the impact of electronic magnetic radiation on health.
Recognised that health matters were not a consideration in determining the application;
·
Concern regarding
the visual impact and the impact on the business of Pant Du that was an attraction
for local people and visitors
alike;
·
Concern that
a new prominent industrial mast would have an impact
on the application for World Heritage
Site Status for the Slate Industry (UNESCO);
· That Grŵp Cynefin had a scheme to develop housing near the site and they ... view the full minutes text for item 5
Siting of 21m high telecommunications mast including a radio station, 3 antennas, 2 equipment cabinets, ancillary equipment together with a 1.8m high security fence.
LOCAL MEMBER:
Councillor Judith M Humphreys
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Erect a 21m high
telecommunications mast, including a radio station, 3 antennae, 2 equipment
cabinets, associated equipment, along with a 1.8m high security fence
The Members had visited the site.
Attention was drawn to a
petition that had been submitted which referred to similar issues as those
which had already been submitted along with oral observations from the Public
Protection Unit.
(a)
The Planning Manager
elaborated on the background of the application, and noted that the application
had been deferred at the Planning Committee meeting on 3.7.17 so that the
Members could visit the site before making a decision. It was noted that the
site was located on the outskirts of Penygroes at the rear of the telephone exchange site
which contained one permanent single-storey building. It was explained that residential houses were
located on the far side of the public road to the direction of the north, west
and east with the following nearby, Ysgol Gynradd Bro Lleu, Ysgol Uwchradd
Dyffryn Nantlle and Plas Silyn Leisure Centre.
From the information submitted, it was noted that
the reason for the proposal was to carry out the Government's aim to provide a
4G signal where it did not already exist in rural areas.
In
response to the objections voiced at the Committee on 03.07.17, the applicant
submitted additional information that justified locating the mast on this
specific site and these had been included in the report. It was also
highlighted that a "Declaration of Conformity with the International
Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) Public Exposure
Guidelines" had been submitted as part of this application. It
confirmed that the development had been certified as being in compliance with
ICNIRP guidelines, namely the recognised guidelines for this type of
development.
An objection had been received on the grounds on
concern about the impact of the development on health, and specifically on the
health of the children at the nearby Nursery, Primary School and Secondary
School along with users of Plas Silyn Leisure Centre.
Although it was acknowledged that concern had been raised regarding the
potential impact on health, it was not considered that the proposal was
contrary to national policies or the LDP and there was no need for further
information to assess the potential impact of the development. It was noted that Planning Policy Wales
stated clearly in relation to the implications of such development proposals on
health, that WG was of the opinion that the local planning authorities should
not further consider any health impacts or the concerns about them when
processing an application for planning permission or approval beforehand if the
development satisfied the requirements of ICNIRP.
It was noted that with this type of development, it would inevitable that the proposed main structure would be partly visible from public places as it needed to be in a fairly open location to ensure that it worked to its full capacity. It was explained that the closest dwellings were approximately 50m and 90m away from the site of the application ... view the full minutes text for item 5
Siting of 21m high telecommunications mast including a radio station, 3 antennas, 2 equipment cabinets, ancillary equipment together with a 1.8m high security fence.
LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor Judith Humphreys
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Erect a 21m high telecommunications mast, including
a radio station, three antennae, two equipment cabinets, associated equipment,
along with a 1.8m high security fence.
(a) The Planning Manager elaborated on the
background of the application and noted that the site was on the
outskirts of Penygroes at the rear of the telephone
exchange site which contained one permanent single-storey building. It was
explained that residential houses were located on the far side of the public
road to the direction of the north, west and east with the following nearby: Ysgol Gynradd Bro Lleu, Ysgol Uwchradd
Dyffryn Nantlle and Plas Silyn Leisure Centre.
It was noted that policy CH20 of the GUDP approved
proposals for new infrastructure and telecommunications equipment subject to
full consideration of specific criteria. It was reported that the applicant had
noted within the documents of the planning application the reasons why this
location had been chosen for the development, noting that it was part of the
Government's objective of extending 4G phone signal to areas where it did not
currently exist, in particular to rural areas.
An objection had been received based on concern
about the impact of the development on health, and specifically on the health
of the children at the nearby Primary School. It was noted that criterion
number 3 of policy CH20 ensured that proposed developments satisfied the
International Commission on Non-Ionizing Protection (ICNIRP) Public Exposure
Guidelines. Information had been received indicating compliance with these
standards. Although it was acknowledged that concern had been raised regarding
the potential impact, it was not considered that the proposal was contrary to
national policies or the Unitary Plan and there was no need for further
information to assess the possible impact of the development.
Attention
was drawn to the additional observations that had been received.
It
was noted that it was inevitable for the main proposed structure to be partly
visible from public spaces due to the need for it to be in a relatively open location
to ensure that it would work to its full capacity. The nearest residential
houses were located approximately 50m and 90m away from the application site in
different directions, it was acknowledged that this type of development would
inevitably have an element of visual impact on these nearest houses, however,
it was not considered that the impact would be substantial in this case.
The
development was acceptable in terms of relevant local and national policies for
the reasons noted in the report.
(b) Taking advantage of the right to speak, an objector noted the
following main points:-
·
That he was the Headteacher
of Ysgol Bro Lleu and that
there was concern regarding the proximity of the mast to the school and the
impact it could have on the children;
·
That the industrial estate would be able to better
conceal the proposal;
·
Unaware of the actual impact of such a development;
were similar developments found near other schools?
· That parents were concerned and some were threatening to move their children from ... view the full minutes text for item 5