13 February 2026
Street Record, C1242, Peel, Isle Of Man, IM5 1pu
Appeal against the refusal for the installation of 5 telegraph poles to provide fibre optic connectivity to 7-13 & 21-39 Ballaquane Park
Installation of 5 telegraph poles to provide fibre optic connectivity to 7-13 & 21-39 Ballaquane Park
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Owners of 30 Ballaquane Park submitted a rebuttal statement supporting the refusal of permission for installing 5 telegraph poles for fibre optic connectivity at Ballaquane Park, citing contravention of original planning approval and underground services policy.
Key concern: contravention of original planning approval and settled policy for underground services since early 70s
Owners of 30 Ballaquane Park
Objectionfor Manx Telecom to erect poles in order to provide fibre optic services to domestic properties, it would be a contravention of the original planning approval for our property; Since the early 70s it has been the settled policy that all services provided to new properties should be via underground means; To start erecting new poles in order to provide these services is a backward step and is on a par with a country in the 3rd world; MT clearly place the payment of shareholders’ dividends above the loss of environmental amenity in the Manx built environment
The original application for 5 telegraph poles was recommended for approval by the planning officer but unanimously refused by the Planning Committee on 26 August 2025 due to negative visual impact on the character of the bungalow-dominated streetscene, contrary to GP2 b) and c). The appellant argued the poles were necessary for national fibre rollout, compliant with policies, carefully sited, and supported by precedents of approvals elsewhere. The inspector, after a site visit on 24 November 2025, found the poles and cabling would introduce incongruous features towering over single-storey homes in an uncluttered area, causing significant harm to character/appearance and oppressive harm to residents' outlook, outweighing public benefits despite strong government telecoms priorities. The Minister accepted the inspector's recommendation on 13 February 2026, upholding the refusal with reasons citing conflict with GP2 b), c), g) and IP3.
Precedent Value
This appeal reinforces that in uncluttered, low-scale residential areas without existing poles, new telegraph poles for fibre will likely be refused despite national broadband goals; applicants must demonstrate why underground isn't viable or select sites with existing infrastructure.
Inspector: Frances Mahoney MRTPI IHBC
