[UK-CONTEST] Planning Issue

[John Lemay]

Adrian

I have consent for a Versatower, which includes the condition that the mast
shall be retracted when not in use. The "difficulty in monitoring" refers to
the issue of the Council, with minimal resources, being able to see from
time to time if you are complying with that condition. And how do they know,
at any particular time, if it really is or is not in use ?

Special Landscape Areas are generally determined by the District or Borough
Council, following national guidelines. They are of a lesser value than
Sites of Special Scientific Interest (generally) and they are not the same
as Conservation Areas. SLA's are chosen to protect landscape or landform
from development, and even a significant development outside an SLA which
could affect the setting of an SLA would be viewed cautiously by the
Council. In some areas Landscape Character Assessments are now taking place
of SLA's.

By the way, the search when you bought your property should have indicated
the existence of SLA's and you should have asked what that means.

In considering the other nearby masts, bear in mind the possibility that the
SLA came into being after those masts were planted, and it may have happened
to protect the area from further similar development - the very masts you
would now like to install.

Check the facts at your planning office. Find out the extent of "your" SLA
and when it was implemented and why. This is in the public domain and may be
on the Councils web site. Armed with this information you may begin to
discover how easy or difficult it is to find a compromise.

John G4ZTR

-----Original Message-----
From: uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com]On Behalf Of Adrian Rees
Sent: 30 June 2006 00:35
To: 'UK Contest reflector'
Subject: [UK-CONTEST] Planning Issue


Hi
I have applied for planning permission for the installation of 3 x 20 m
Telescopic masts and one fixed 25 m mast at my QTH.

I live close to the top of a hill, 1,200 feet ASL. I have 4 neighbours
within a half mile radius.

Whilst the neighbours have raised no objections (they won't see them
anyway) the local Council Planning Officer has sent a letter, received
today, stating that he wouldn't support the application. I quote:

"The application lies in open countryside and within a Special Landscape
Area. In my opinion the proposal will have a material and detrimental
impact upon the landscape from both near and distant views, conflicting
with the objectives of Unitary Development Plan PoliciesPS2 and EC5. I
recognise that the telescopic masts could be retracted when not in use,
but it would be extremely difficult to monitor and enforce this if
permission were granted. In any case the proposed 25 metre high
structure would not be retracted when not in use. I am therefore not
prepared to support your application."

"Should you wish to respond to the above, I would be grateful if you
could do so within 14 days of the date of this letter."

First of all I have contacted the planning officer concerned, and using
the cap in hand approach, asked what he could suggest I do to make the
application acceptable. He had no suggestions.

I suggested that I change the application to 4 telescopic masts, (no
fixed mast), painting them in camouflage etc. None of this produced any
form of response.

(To be honest, he seems a bit of a young "smart arse" type ).

The RSGB Planning Comm. is involved, through its Chairman, and he has
been extremely helpful, and has suggested a number of things:

1. Given that the neighbours don't object, try to prove that the masts
cannot easily be seen from a distance, or if by repositioning the masts
making them impossible to see from a distance. (No VHF NFD for me, but
Camera and mast and maps for Photo shoot !).

2. Show him photographs of retracted and extended masts, both at close
quarters (say 25 - 50 feet away) and at a distance (1 - 5 miles).

3. Research  Special Landscape Area, as it is NOT a conservation area,
and I am  wondering exactly what it means.

4. The planning officer says "Open Countryside". This isn't quite true.
There are a number of large trees, and hedges that would hide the masts.
What does material and detrimental impact mean ?

5. As well as the Trees and hedges, 500 m behind, and on top of the
hill, is a 30 m PMR / Mobile phone tower,  some 3 km east on the same
hill top are two 300 Foot North Wales Police towers, with a further
BBC/ITV 300 foot tower. These are clearly visible at distance. Whilst I
am aware that the planning officer may be getting the two structures (my
masts and the PMR / BBC / North Wales Police towers) confused, I can't
see how the addition of what will effectively be in comparison, pencil
thin masts will create any further detriment.

6. What does the term "difficult to monitor" mean ? That he / she can't
see them ? Is it my responsibility to make it easy for them to monitor ?

So, if you have any comments, constructive or not, please let me know.
If you have any photographs of your towers, from any angle, at any
distance, and are willing to share them, please email them to me. (They
will be used in confidence ~ no names no pack drill etc).

The letter is dated 26 June, so I have until Monday 10 July.

Many thanks

Adrian Rees
MW1LCR


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