Supporting Statement for Application for Planning Permission At
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Supporting Statement for Application for Planning Permission At Monkmoor Sewage Works Monkmoor Road Monkmoor Shrewsbury Shropshire SY2 5AU Harlequin Group Innovation Centre Maidstone Road Chatham Kent ME5 9FD t: +44 (0) 1634 661 556 e: [email protected] w: www.harlequin-group.com Table of contents 1.0 Introduction 2 2.0 Proposed Development 4 3.0 Planning Policy 11 4.0 Access 28 5.0 Health and Safety 28 6.0 Conclusions 29 Rev Originator Approved Date 0 Name Name Day/Month/Year 1 Martin Brown March 2021 © Harlequin Group Town Planning. All rights reserved March 21. This document is expressly provided to and solely for the use of Wireless Infrastructure Group (WIG) and must not be quoted from, referred to, used by or distributed to any other party without the prior consent of Harlequin Group Town Planning who accept no liability of whatsoever nature for any use by any other party. P10 1 1.0 Introduction 1.1 This Planning Supporting Statement has been prepared by Harlequin Group on behalf of EE Limited. The statement has been prepared in support of the planning application made to the Council for removal of the existing 15.0m high monopole mast and the erection of a new replacement 20.0m high column mast at Monkmoor Sewage Works, Monkmoor Road, Monkmoor, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY2 5AU. This application is made under the Development Management Procedure Order (2015). The statement sets out the most relevant considerations in respect of the proposed development. In accordance with the Code of Best Practice on Mobile Network Development and published Government guidance, this proposal was drawn up having regard to the need for good design. This statement sets out the most relevant considerations in respect of the proposed development. This provides context for the proposal, reasoning, technical justification and planning constraints, policy guidance and alternatives. Considerations of design and layout are informed by the context, having regard not just to any immediate neighbouring buildings but the immediate and wider townscape. The local pattern of streets and spaces, building traditions and materials all help to determine the character and identity of the development. The scale, massing and height of proposed development have been considered in relation to that of adjoining buildings, the general pattern of heights in the area, vistas and any landmarks. General design principles have been taken into account in respect of this proposed telecommunications development including a proper assessment of the character of the area concerned and that the design shows an appreciation of context. 1.2 The importance of mobile connectivity The ability to access mobile data and voice services is an integral part of modern life. Mobile devices are relied upon by consumers and businesses. Mobile connectivity is no longer seen as a luxury: the ability to make calls, access the internet and receive e- mail and text is seen as a necessity. Businesses, large and small, need mobile connectivity to operate effectively and to compete in an increasingly global market. In an emergency, the public rely upon mobile devices to call for help and the emergency services rely upon mobile services to respond. 1.3 UK government policy on mobile infrastructure deployment The UK government has identified the need for greater investment in mobile infrastructure to increase the widespread availability and capacity of mobile voice and data networks. “The Government acknowledges that there has been a profound shift over the last decade in the way citizens approach and access digital communications. What was once seen as a luxury is now a basic need, and people expect to have access to fast 2 broadband at home, irrespective of where they live, and use their mobile devices anywhere they go”. DCMS, May 2016. The last few years have seen a number of UK-wide initiatives to improve coverage including: • Coverage commitments in the 4G LTE spectrum awarded to Telefonica O2 (February 2013) to deliver mobile broadband with 98% indoor premises coverage by the end of 2017 • National commitment by all four MNOs (December 2014) to deliver 90% geographic coverage by 2017 • Mobile Infrastructure Project (MIP) – investment by DCMS of up to £150m (to March 2016) in towers to deliver connectivity in complete mobile not-spots. • Changes to the Permitted Development rights afforded to communications code operators (such as WIG) to allow new networks to be rolled-out more efficiently. • Changes to the Electronic Communications to Code (December 2017) to allow mobile operators to more easily roll-out new communications infrastructure. 1.3 National Support for Modern Communications There is significant UK Government support for the delivery of 5G, particularly as this new connectivity will be a step change from earlier generations of mobile connectivity and will be critical to economic growth and sustainable communities. Our accompanying document of national policy ‘National Policy - Delivering Ultra Fast Broadband Mobile Connectivity’, sets out how 5G mobile connectivity will underpin the UK Digital Economy and the significant social, economic and sustainability benefits of advanced modern connectivity. It is essential that the planning system looks to support and facilitate new 5G base station installations such as that proposed to meet the Government’s Digital Strategy. In addition, modern connectivity, such as 5G, will be essential to help the Government meet its wider sustainability and climate change targets. 3 2.0 Proposed Development 2.1 Site and Proposed Development The application site comprises an existing telecommunications site located towards the north-west corner of Monkmoor Sewage Treatment Plant. The site hosts an existing 15.0m high monopole with associated antenna and equipment (see planning history below) on a 2.4m x 2.4m concrete base. Additionally, the site is situated within an existing fenced compound (15.0m x 15.0m). The site location is shown on the image below, highlighted by way of a yellow star for context. The proposal would see removal of the existing 15.0m monopole and replacement with a new 20.0m high column, with a 5G ergonomic crows nest headframe to be resin anchored into existing tower base, along with ancillary development thereto. The existing 3No. antenna will be relocated onto the crownest headframe, with an additional 3No. antenna also installed (6No. antenna in total). Additionally, the existing 2400x2400 tower base will be extended to 3900x3900 to ensure structural stability. The drawings submitted with this planning application provide further details regarding the specific location, design and material specifications of the equipment. The site forms part of Monkmoor Sewage Treatment Plant. The landscape context immediately to the north and east is largely rural in nature, comprising of fields and trees. The closest residential property is located approximately 170m to the west, however, the site is completely screened from any nearby residents view by existing mature trees in all directions. 4 The proposed tower would host multiple operators (EE and H3G), who require this larger tower due to the height of the surrounding clutter between the site location and the cell coverage area, in order to provide improved coverage to existing and new customers. The tower would continue to provide 2G, 3G and 4G coverage for customers within this area providing them with mobile, voice, text and data services, as well as providing, when necessary, 5G coverage. 2.2 Application History This application is being submitted in an effort to provide the necessary upgrade in the mobile phone network coverage to the eastern area of Shrewsbury and surrounding areas. Our client operates the rights to accommodate telecommunications equipment on behalf of the network operator, and this proposal forms part of the wider mobile network providing a necessary improvement in connectivity. As highlighted above, there is existing telecommunications infrastructure located on the site. Having checked the Councils online planning search, the following applications are relevant to the site; • SA/02/0481/MAS - Installation of a 15 metre telecommunications monopole accommodating 3 antenna and 3 dishes (two 300m and one 600mm) within an equipment compound (15 metres x 15 metres) - Prior Approval Not Required - Thu 23 May 2002. The proposed replacement mast will not only service voice calls but will include provision for 3G, 4G and 5G data use which will be of great benefit to all users of the network. As you may be aware, EE have been awarded the contract to provide network services to the Emergency Services, which will operate over EE’s 5G network and as such, this site will also provide coverage for all the blue light services in this area. 2.3 Alternative Site Assessment Paragraph 113 of the revised National Planning Policy Framework, in which the Government’s supportive stance towards developing high-quality communications infrastructure is laid out, states that “The number of radio and electronic communications masts, and the sites for such installations, should be kept to a minimum consistent with the needs of consumers, the efficient operation of the network and providing reasonable capacity for future expansion. Use of existing masts, buildings and other structures for new electronic communications capability (including wireless) should be encouraged.” In addition to this, Appendix A of the Code of Best Practice (2016)* sets out the options for the design of sites. This also lists mast and/or site sharing (including redevelopment of a site) as the preferred option, when possible, based on a number of factors. As the proposal would see the removal of the existing 15.0m tower and replacement with a new taller tower 20.0m in height, it is considered that the proposal is for works at an established telecommunications site and not for the development of a new site, thus the consideration of alternative sites is not appropriate in this instance.