Policy Considerations In accordance with NR12, telecommunications development will normally be permitted where: (i) siting and design will not unreasonably affect the character and amenity of the area; (ii) all practicable possibilities of sharing facilities have been fully explored and found to be unfeasible or unacceptable by the Minister; (iii) there would be no unacceptable impact on residential amenity; (iv) the proposal is in accordance with other principles and policies of the Plan. Siting and Design The elevation of the building which the equipment is proposed to be mounted is the east and north elevation. The proposal involves wall mounting antennae and a dish under the eaves on the east elevation. The visual impact of this equipment will be minimal due to the height of the building, the setback of the top level and the darkness of the colour on the existing building. The proposal also includes an antennae wall mounted on the north elevation of the building. The proposed location of this antenna is on the beige rendered parapet at roof level. Provided that the installation is coloured to match the existing building, the visual impact will be minimal. There are similar wall mounted antennae on buildings in St Helier, for example, Pier Road car park and Cyril Le Marquand House. The installation at Pier Road car park is particularly unnoticeable due to the exact colour matching of the paint used on the installation to the existing building. It is considered that by painting the installation the same colour as the building significantly reduces the visual impact of the installation. A condition is recommended to ensure the colour of the antennae, dish, brackets and all supports matches the existing building. The cabinets are proposed to be located inside the building. Site Sharing The necessity of this site is for coverage to the waterfront and marina areas. There is an opportunity to site share within the cell coverage area, being the Fort Regent Signalling Station. The Signalling Station is so named because of its location and views across the harbour and town centre, and has been used for communications for over 50 years. Airtel currently have two poles at this site which face towards the town centre. They originally applied for a third pole to face the marina, however it was considered at the time of the application that a third pole at Fort Regent would be too great of a visual impact. The current application at the Waterfront Hotel is the next option after the site share at Fort Regent was discounted. There is a temporary site on the Waterfront for Jersey Telecom at ground level on the WEB portacabin. However a permanent proposal for Jersey Telecom is currently pending, which is a street works design on top of the Waterfront car park at Marina Gardens. Residential Amenity There will be limited impact to residential amenity from this installation. The nearest residential properties are 260 metres from the installation to the east and north. The visual impact is low and there are no other impacts to residential amenity such as traffic, noise, pollution, light, overbearing, overshadowing or overlooking. Other Policies of the Plan The proposal is in accordance with the other policies of the Island Plan. |