PA23 00259
Dear Michal
CRN25410 - Pre-consultation for proposed radio base station
Further to your email, we are concerned that your non-receipt of our earlier email of 11th December 2022 may result in the views of the Parish Council not being taken into account before the plans for the radio mast location are put out for wider consultation.
We believe that the purpose of your original letter was to seek the views of the Parish Council BEFORE any further consultation took place. The Parish council is consulted as standard practice by Cornwall Council – we are not just “anyone to comment on it via the (Cornwall) council’s planning website”.
This is a not a formal response to the planning application . However, without prejudice to further comments we wish to make and our formal response, please note that your application form date 6/1/23 for PA23/00259 is incorrect and misleading as it indicates that the Parish Council has not engaged with you and made no comment. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Taking account of the significance of the issue, our Parish Council discussed this at a Zoom meeting before Christmas, after which we sent you the first email (some of which is repeated below for completeness).
Since then, the Parish Council met on the 10th January 2023. Please could you therefore respond to our concerns as soon as possible, so that we can be confident that you are engaging with us, and including us in the process, rather than bypassing us. Particularly could you note the fact that the Parish Council would support the installation of 5G at the alternative location of Quarry Lane, but absolutely would oppose it in the proposed location adjacent to the A38.
The Parish Council understands and agrees with the overall aim of expansion of the key telecommunications infrastructure through rollout of the 5G network.
The Parish Council would support the construction of a mast in an alternative location of Quarry Lane for the following reasons :
• The mast would be located on private land where residents would not have ready access to it, and easier to make secure
• Although the site is on the edge of the AONB, the visual impact is not particularly significant in our view
At the Parish Council meeting on 10th January, the councillors confirmed their initial view that the location next to the A38 is unacceptable and inappropriate for the following reasons (and supported the alternative Quarry Lane location) : -
• The Parish Council is in discussions with National Highways regarding Highway Improvements. This piece of land will undoubtedly be needed to implement part of the proposed A38 Safety package which is subject of an ongoing consultation in an effort to reduce the number of fatal and serious accidents on the A38 between Carkeel and Trerulefoot.
• The location would be in a particularly dangerous position.
• The siting of the mast would potentially cause visual impairment for drivers exiting the village.
• The structure would be a distraction for drivers on the A38. There are already safety concerns on what is an extremely hazardous trunk road. This stretch of road is rated one of the most dangerous roads in the country.
• The proposed installation of a 20m high slim-line monopole, supporting 6 no. antennas, 1 no. wraparound equipment cabinet at the base of the monopole, 2 no. equipment cabinets, 1 no. electric meter cabinet, and ancillary development thereto including GPS 1 no. module would be an unsightly eyesore for the entrance to the village. It will be impossible to camouflage the mast.
• Residential properties are very close to the proposed location. There are health and safety concerns for the neighbouring properties and the A38.
Whilst the Parish Council supports the need to make sure residents have access to 4G and 5G networks, the Council believes that ‘the land to the north of Quarry Lane’ is the only suitable site on your list for locating the mast.
We also have some questions regarding how this site meets the requirements of existing planning laws -
National Planning Policy Framework (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Paragraph 115 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states “The number of radio and electronic communications masts, and the sites for such installations, should be kept to a minimum consistent with the needs of consumers, the efficient operation of the network and providing reasonable capacity for future expansion. Use of existing masts, buildings and other structures for new electronic communications capability (including wireless) should be encouraged. Where new sites are required (such as for new 5G networks, or for connected transport and smart city applications), equipment should be sympathetically designed and camouflaged where appropriate.” Please provide evidence that this is the case, and describe how you plan to camouflage the mast in your preferred location.
Paragraph 117 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states “Applications for electronic communications development (including applications for prior approval under the General Permitted Development Order) should be supported by the necessary evidence to justify the proposed development.” Evidence is required to justify the proposed development (CRN25410) and alternative more appropriate locations should be sought.
Please could you revert to us on the above as soon as possible. The Parish Council would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you via Zoom or teams to discuss our concerns, and to understand your rationale for this particular location.
In order that the community is fully aware of the proposed development and has the opportunity to comment within a tight timescale, we have shared the link to application PA23/00259 on Cornwall Council’s website on or community Facebook page.
We look forward to hearing from you
Regards
Karenza Heald
15th January 2021