ITEM NO: 12 Application No. Ward: Date Registered: Target Decision Date: 10/00339/RTD Ascot 25 May 2010 20 July 2010 Site Address: Mast New Road Ascot Berkshire Proposal: Installation of telecommunications mast. Applicant: VODAFONE/TELEFONICA 02 Agent: Mono Consultants Ltd Case Officer: Laura Rain, 01344 352000 [email protected]

Site Location Plan ( for identification purposes only, not to scale )

© Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. Bracknell Forest Borough Council 100019488 2004

Planning & Highways Committee 24th June 2010

1 RELEVANT PLANNING HISTORY (If Any)

None.

2 RELEVANT PLANNING POLICIES

Key to abbreviations

SEP The South East Plan BFBCS Core Strategy Development Plan Document BFBLP Bracknell Forest Borough Local Plan RMLP Replacement Minerals Local Plan WLP Waste Local Plan for Berkshire

SPG Supplementary Planning Guidance SPD Supplementary Planning Document RSS Regional Spatial Strategy (also known as the South East Plan) PPG (No.) Planning Policy Guidance (Published by DCLG) PPS (No.) Planning Policy Statement (Published by DCLG) MPG Minerals Planning Guidance DCLG Department for Communities and Local Government

Note: The SEP and the BFBLP contain some policies with the same title, e.g. H3. In such cases, the policy will be suffixed with an “SEP” for the SEP and an “L” for the BFBLP, e.g. H3SEP, H3L.

Plan Policy Description (May be abbreviated)

BFBLP EN2L Supplementing Tree And Hedgerow Cover

BFBLP EN20 Design Considerations In New Development

BFBLP SC4 Telecommunications Provision

BFBLP EN1L Protecting Tree And Hedgerow Cover

BFBLP EN2L Supplementing Tree And Hedgerow Cover

BFBLP EN20 Design Considerations In New Development

BFBLP SC4 Telecommunications Provision

BFBCS CS7 Design

BFBCS CS7 Design

PPG PPG8 Telecommunications

PPG PPG8 Telecommunications

3 CONSULTATIONS (Comments may be abbreviated)

Transportation Officer

Refer to officer report

Tree Officer

Refer to Officer report

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Winkfield Parish Council

(No comments received at time of producing this report).

4 REPRESENTATIONS

At the time of writing the report 11 letters of objection had been received. Any further letters of representation will be reported at the Planning & Highways Committee meeting. The objections received to date can be summarised as follows:

- Proposed siting of the mast would be in an inappropriate location, being in a densely populated residential area with many young families - Siting is too close to residential properties - Mast would be unsightly - Alternative location should be sought eg. industrial areas, golf curse, Ascot Racecourse - There is no problem with Vodaphone reception in this area and therefore the mast is unnecessary - Concern over safety for children and the elderly - Concern over devaluation of properties - Lack of neighbour notification - Not enough research has been carried out into the effects of such masts (electromagnetic radiation etc.). Anxiety about such health hazards can be as physically damaging as any actual affects. Just because there is no evidence of effect on health it does not mean that the masts do not cause any harm to health.

5 OFFICER REPORT

Summary Of Key Aspects Of The Proposal (If Any)

This application is reported to the Planning and Highways Committee as more than 3 objections have been received (11 received at the time of writing of this report).

i) PROPOSAL

This application seeks prior approval to erect a 15m high slim line streetworks monopole telecommunications mast with one associated equipment cabinet measuring 1.84m(l) by 0.44m(w) by 1.43m(h) in fir green steel sheeting.The proposed development is required to provide 3G coverage for the area for both Vodafone and O2.

The mast and associated antennae are 'permitted development', but the developer must apply to the Local Planning Authority to ascertain whether prior approval is required for the siting and appearance of the development. In this instance the applicants have submitted these details for approval and the Council has 56 days in which to consider them.

The applicant has submitted a certificate, which confirms that the proposed mast meets ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection) guidelines.

Planning & Highways Committee 24th June 2010

ii) SITE

The siting of the proposed mast would be located on an area of grass verge at the back edge of the footpath of New Road. Behind the proposed siting of the mast are a row of mature/semi mature trees, located between the properties at Nos. 144 and 152 New Road, on the north western side of the road.

To the immediate south-west of the proposed siting of the mast is a bus stop. The surrounding area is predominately residential in character, with large detached two industrial buildings to the south-east and Londis Store and local post office to the north.

The street furniture within close proximity to the site consists of 8m high lamp posts, a bus stop and telegraph poles along the eastern side of New Road.

The siting of the proposed mast would be located some 365m from the boundary of the nearest infant and junior school at Ascot Heath C of E School on Rhododendron Walk. There would be a separation distance of some 380m between the siting of the proposed mast and the junior school building at the closest point and some 450m to the infant school building at the closest point.

iii) PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS

(1) Principle of development

The site is located within "Defined Settlement" as designated by the Bracknell Forest Borough Proposals Maps, whereby the principle of development is acceptable, subject to no adverse impacts upon the residential amenities of neighbouring properties, the character and appearance of the surrounding area, highway safety implications, etc.

(2) Effect on the residential amenities of neighbouring properties

The proposed siting of the telecommunications mast would be 20m from the closest residential property at 97 New Road to the east of the site and 23m from 152 New Road to the south-west. The industrial building to the south-east is approximately 18m from the proposed siting of the mast and there is a separation distance of 30m to Londis Store and the post office to the north.

The proposed telecommunications mast would appear visible when viewed from the front elevation and front garden of nos. 97 New Road and 152 New Road, however in view of the separation distances between the properties and the proposed siting of the mast of an average of 21.5m, against a back drop of trees, it is not considered that the proposal would have an overbearing impact or result in a loss of residential amenity for these properties that would be considered so detrimental as to merit refusal of the application.

Further, the proposed equipment cabinet due to its dimensions would not appear visually intrusive to residential properties in close proximity to the mast and cabinet.

(3) Impact on the character and appearance of surrounding area

Policy SC4 of the Bracknell Forest Borough Local Plan states: " for network telecommunications development will be permitted provided that... There is no reasonable possibility of erecting antennas in an existing

Planning & Highways Committee 24th June 2010

building or structure or of sharing facilities...The development must be sited so as to minimise its visual impact, subject to technical and operational considerations."

Further PPG8 gives guidance on planning for telecommunications development - including masts and : "The sharing of masts and sites is strongly encouraged where that represents the optimum environmental solution in a particular case. Authorities will need to consider the cumulative impact upon the environment of additional antennas sharing a mast or masts sharing a site...Local planning authorities and operators are encouraged to explore possible alternative approaches, particularly the opportunities for mast and site sharing and also in terms of the location and alternative design of the apparatus."

In principle, the proposed mast for a site share to support both Vodafone and O2 is supported at both local and national policy level as set out by policy SC4 of the Bracknell Forest Local Plan and PPG8 guidance.

The proposed monopole at a height of 15m would be set against a back drop of semi- mature and mature trees. It is acknowledged that the height of the proposed mast would exceed the height of existing street lighting columns which are 8m high, however given that site levels along New Road are flat, and the backdrop of trees behind the proposed mast, it is not considered that the mast would appear so visually intrusive within the street scene as to warrant refusal for this reason.

The mast would be located some 11m from the nearest street lighting column to the south-west and 20m from the lighting column to the north-east. It is considered that the proposed mast would not appear visually cluttered within the street scene when taking into account existing street furniture along New Road.

Further, it is considered that the mast share between O2 and Vodafone would prevent the requirement of installing a separate installation within the area which is supported under PPG8 guidance.

Information has been submitted with the application to demonstrate that 10 other sites were considered for the siting of the new mast but were not chosen for numerous reasons, including the sites would not provide adequate coverage, were too close to other planned cells in the area or were to close to residential properties in the area. The proposed location of the mast as shown on the application was considered most appropriate.

The proposed equipment cabinet would be sited 0.85m from the proposed monopole mast on a concrete foundation. The dimensions of the proposed cabinet are 0.44m x 1.84m x 1.4m high and as such it is considered it would not appear visually prominent within the street scene.

(4) Highway Implications

The Council’s Transportation Officer has been consulted and has made the following comments:

"The site is located on New Road, a main distributor road, adjacent to a bus stop. The application proposes to erect a 15m high telecommunications mast and provide an ancillary cabinet located within the verge at the rear of the footway on New Road. Whilst the location will not encroach upon any visibility splays the installation may cause an obstruction on the highway when the installation is under maintenance due to the location adjacent to the bus stop. The applicant should therefore provide an

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amended drawing showing parking for the maintenance vehicle which will not encroach upon the movement area of the bus route.

The Bracknell Council Traffic manager should be consulted to approve the location and ensure that the highway will not be obstructed when the cabinet is being maintained.

The location of the site would appear to be within the public highway as it already accommodates BFC street lighting equipment; however the applicant will be required to confirm that the proposed cabinet location is within the adopted highway".

An objection has therefore not been raised by the Council's Highways Officer subject to the submission of a revised parking plan showing parking for a maintenance vehicle. A request has been made to the agent that this plan is submitted for approval so as to avoid the need to impose a condition in the event of approval of the application.

(5) Tree Implications

The Council's Tree Service has been consulted and has made the following comments:

"Policy EN1 requires the protection of tree and hedgerow cover, where it is important to the retention of: The character and appearance of the landscape; green links between open spaces; and habitats for local wildlife. Policy EN2 requires the supplementing of tree and hedgerow cover to support development. Policy EN20 requires the designs of new developments to: Retain beneficial landscape or ecological features, and where reasonable, enhance these features; and to avoid the loss of important natural features (such as trees, hedges, fences and banks) which it is desirable to maintain.

To minimise street clutter, and to minimise impact on green space and trees it would be preferable for phone architecture to be integrated with lamp columns in these types of locations. Exchanging one of the existing lamp columns for a version benefitting from the phone would be preferable.

If a new stand alone column is required the impact of this application on trees would not be sufficient to require refusal of the application. With careful working (details to follow) there should be no long term impact upon the health of the adjacent trees. In this instance the location and installation of the equipment is not considered to significantly increase the need to prune or remove trees in the future.

The process of excavation to install cables in trenches and install the cabinet must be completed with regard to trees and their roots, in order to meet with policy. The National Joint Utilities Group (NJUG) publish clear guidance on the work methods required to minimise damage to trees in the execution of excavations and works of the type required by the installation of phone masts. The publications are available as free downloads from the following website: www.njug.org.uk/category/3/pageid/5/. These standards must be applied to the execution of approved works in order to demonstrate compliance with policy".

The Council’s Tree Officer has therefore raised no objection to the application, subject to adding an informative relating to NJUG.

Planning & Highways Committee 24th June 2010

(6) Health Implications

Government advice states that if a proposed development meets the ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection) guidelines it should not be necessary for a planning authority, in processing an application, to consider the health effects further. The proposed development will accord with the guidelines for public exposure set by ICNIRP.

It is considered; therefore, that there are no grounds for refusal based on perceived health risks.

(7) Need

Planning Policy Guidance 8, Telecommunications states: "These systems are demand-led. Increase in the use of mobile phones has meant that operators are continually expanding their networks to accommodate customer requirements of service and quality. The greatest need for base station sites is usually in built-up areas where there is the greatest density of mobile users, and within a mile or two of the main roads, where the demands on network capacity are greatest."

"Authorities should not seek to prevent competition between different operators and should not question the need for the telecommunications system which the proposed development is to support."

(8) Other Issues

A number of other concerns were raised in the letters of objection. The devaluation of a property is not a planning matter. With regard to neighbour notification immediate neighbours adjoining the application site were notified by letter (in accordance with adopted procedures for neighbour notification) and a site notice was placed on the lamp post (on 28th May 2010) by the bus stop in front of the woodland area.

(9) Conclusion

It is not considered that the proposed telecommunications mast and associated equipment cabinet would have a detrimental impact upon the character and appearance of the area, adversely affect the amenities of neighbouring residential properties or have a detrimental impact on trees or highway safety subject to a revised plan showing satisfactory parking for a maintenance vehicle.

The application is therefore recommended for approval.

6 RECOMMENDATION

The siting and appearance of the development proposed be APPROVED in accordance with the plans as stated below:-

Drawing number 100 rev B received by Local Planning Authority on 25 May 2010 Drawing number 200 rev C received by Local Planning Authority on 25 May 2010 Drawing number 300 rev B received by Local Planning Authority on 25 May 2010 Drawing number 400 rev B received by the Local Planning Authority on 25 May 2010 Drawing number 500 rev B received by the Local Planning Authority on 25 May 2010

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Informative(s ):

01. The process of excavation to install cables in trenches and install the cabinet must be completed with regard to trees and their roots, in order to meet with policy. The National Joint Utilities Group (NJUG) publish clear guidance on the work methods required to minimise damage to trees in the execution of excavations and works of the type required by the installation of phone masts. The publications are available as free downloads from the following website: www.njug.org.uk/category/3/pageid/5/. These standards must be applied to the execution of approved works in order to demonstrate compliance with policy.

02. The applicant should seek approval from the Bracknell Forest Council Street Traffic Manager to approve the location and ensure that the highway will not be obstructed during maintenance of the installation. The applicant should be aware that there are likely to be services related to the telecommunications box and street lighting within the footway which may require relocation of the cabinet.

Doc. Ref: Uniform 7/DC/Agenda

The application file to which this report relates can be viewed at the Council's Time Square office during office hours or online at www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk

Planning & Highways Committee 24th June 2010