Agenda item

Recommended for Approval.

Mr Shaw addressed the Committee in opposition to the application.

The Director of Neighbourhood Services recommended that, subject to no new substantive issues being raised during the consultation period, in respect of application 3/11/0763/PT, prior approval was required and authority be delegated to the Director of Neighbourhood Service to grant planning permission subject to the conditions now detailed.

Councillor N Symonds, as the local ward Member, addressed the Committee in opposition to the application.  Councillor M Newman stated that he could not see any justifiable reason why existing masts could not be shared.

The Director advised that Officers had been advised that there were clear technical constraints as to why these masts could not be shared.  Members were reminded that this proposed mast was classed as permitted development and was before the Committee so that Members could consider the sighting and appearance of the mast.  Members should not be considering the issue of mast sharing or whether there was a need for an additional mast.

Councillor G Jones referred to the other masts in the vicinity.  He stated his concerns over the proximity of the proposed development to 64 Mathams Drive.  He considered that the impact of a mast this close to a residential property was unacceptable.

The Director stressed that Officers felt that the proposed mast would not result in unacceptable clutter.  Officers also considered that the location and appearance of the mast was acceptable.  The Director stressed that this was a subjective view and provided that Members restricted their debate to location appearance, they could safely make a case in support of or in objection to the Officers’ recommendation. 

The Director reported that sharing masts was difficult in that mobile phone operators had sought to keep masts to as modest a height and scale as possible.  Whilst this reduced the impact of any given mast it also meant that mast sharing was difficult as each mast was too small for sharing to take place. 

The Director stressed that for a mast to be used for sharing, the structure would have to be that bit taller with more ancillary equipment.  Members were advised that widespread mast sharing would result in structures that were more visually dominant.

Councillor G Jones proposed and Councillor J Demonti seconded, a motion that application 3/11/0763/PT be refused on the grounds that the mast was unacceptable due to the close proximity and intrusiveness of the proposed development to number 64 Mathams Drive.

After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, this motion was declared LOST.

After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the Committee accepted the recommendation of the Director of Neighbourhood Services that, subject to no new substantive issues being raised during the consultation period, in respect of application 3/11/0763/PT, prior approval was required and authority be delegated to the Director of Neighbourhood Service to grant planning permission subject to the conditions now detailed.

RESOLVED – that in respect of application 3/11/0544/FP, subject to no new substantive issues being raised during the consultation period, authority be delegated to the Director of Neighbourhood Services to grant planning permission subject to the following conditions:

1.            Prior to the commencement of the development hereby approved, details of the colour of the installation shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority,

Reason: In the interests of the appearance of the development.

Directives:

1.            Other legislation (01OL)

2.            Highway Works (05FC)