5 March 2026 · Delegated - A Morgan, Interim Director of Planning and Building Control
Manx Telecom/Crown Castle, Transmitter Site, Chibbyr Pheric Road, Rencell, Laxey, Isle Of Man, IM4 7hz
Sure (Isle of Man) Ltd sought permission to upgrade telecommunications infrastructure at an existing site by removing 3 antennas, 3 MHAs and a microwave dish from a 45m lattice mast and installing 3 new passive antennas and radios at 37.2m height, plus replacing two ground-level cabinets with one on the same footprint.…
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The officer concluded the proposal conforms to Strategic Policy 1c,4b, General Policy 2(b,c,g,m), 3, Environment Policy 1, 22 and Infrastructure Policy 3 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2016.
Strategic Policy 1c
Requires development to make best use of resources. Officer found proposal reuses existing shared mast, avoiding new structures, aligning with policy emphasis on efficient infrastructure upgrades.
Strategic Policy 4b
Officer referenced in conformity statement. Supports proposal's contribution to development hierarchy and service provision in rural areas via telecoms.
General Policy 2
General development considerations (b: character/appearance; c: visual amenity; g: residential amenity; m: health/safety). Assessed visual impact as minor/neutral due to colouring and clustering; no amenity loss; ICNIRP compliance. Tipping factor: equipment blends with galvanised mast in distant views.
General Policy 3
Exceptions to countryside development (e: necessary services). Site outside settlements but acceptable as telecoms hub upgrade, cross-referenced to IP3.
Environment Policy 1
Protection of countryside. Proposal causes no unacceptable harm to character/appearance; minor impact outweighed by benefits.
Environmental Policy 22
Safeguarding environment/amenities. No public health concerns per ICNIRP; no noise/light issues.
Infrastructure Policy 3
Balances need for communications infrastructure against environmental impacts. Key test: upgrades to networks justified, mast sharing demonstrated, visual impact not intrusive in sensitive landscape (D10 Incised Slopes); redundant equipment removal conditioned.
Time limit
The development hereby approved shall be begun before the expiration of four years from the date of this decision notice. Reason: To comply with Article 26 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2019 and to avoid the accumulation of unimplemented planning approvals.
Removal of redundant equipment
Unless otherwise approved in writing by the Department, any telecommunications cabinet, mounted equipment or telecommunications structure must be removed from the land on which it is situated, within 6 months of it no longer being required for telecommunications purposes, and such land must be restored to its condition before the development took place, so far as is practicable. Reason: To ensure that any redundant infrastructure is removed and to comply with Strategic Plan Infrastructure Policy 3.
Colouring to match mast
The proposed telecommunications equipment shall be coloured to match the tower / mast to which they are affixed and retained in perpetuity. REASON: To mitigate any visual impact.
No additional equipment
No permission is hereby approved for any other antennas, telecommunication or radio equipment affixed to the mast, other than demonstrated as part of this application. REASON: To control development on this site.
Remove existing equipment
The existing telecommunication equipment as shown on the drawing referenced; Proposed Elevation (drg. no. UKIM004292-30-301-G0002 Rev A) shall be removed from the lattice tower within 2 months of the new telecommunication equipment being brought into use. Reason: To prevent the retention of redundant equipment which could be detrimental to the visual amenity of the area.
No objection. Proposals would not increase height or footprint of established 45m mast, no significant material change to visual appearance, low-impact upgrade delivering enhanced connectivity to Laxey and Lonan.
