[UK-CONTEST] Planning Issue

[Steve Knell]

Sorry to hear about this Adrian - did you get advice from the RSGB?  I know 
it's easy to say with the power of hindsight, but 4 towers in one go is way 
too much.  If you have an isolated site, then it's a bit of a gamble getting 
these people involved.

The softly-softly one tower at a time approach works better.

If I were you I would install a single trailer tower (which is a grey area 
anyway) just to get everyone used to the idea.  Then, in due course you 
could show the planning officer and perhaps make another application for a 
single fixed tower.

I'm sure the planning officers would much rather be pondering the 
architectural merit of some fascinating design rather than working on some 
boring mast job, but if you put this onto their radar then they are forced 
to deal with it - most planning departments are overworked and underpaid so 
the easy option is always to use a standard "no" letter.

Good Luck!
Steve
G0CKP


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Adrian Rees" <rees.a at btconnect.com>
To: "'UK Contest reflector'" <uk-contest at contesting.com>
Sent: Friday, June 30, 2006 1:35 AM
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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