SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
1.
Site Details
Site Name:
Land Adjacent to The Site Address:
Co-Op Store
NGR:
332156, 147136
Site Ref Number:
CTIL 123265
2.
Site Type:1
The Co-Operative
Food, Southwell
Cresent, off Market
Street, Highbridge,
Somerset, TA9 3BN
Greenfield
Pre Application Check List
Site Selection
Was an LPA mast register used to check for suitable sites by the
No
operator or the LPA?
If no explain why: The proposed development relates to minor changes to the existing base
station in this location.
Was the industry site database checked for suitable sites by the
No
operator:
If no explain why: The proposed development relates to minor changes to the existing base
station in this location.
Annual roll out consultation with LPA
Date of last annual rollout
information/submission:
Name of Contact:
07 October 2013
Summary of outcome/Main issues raised:
None in relation to this existing base station
site.
[email protected]
Pre-application consultation with LPA
Date of written offer of pre-application consultation:
Was there pre-application contact:
Date of pre-application contact:
Name of contact:
Summary of outcome/Main issues raised:
No details received to date.
1
Macro or Micro
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03/06/14
No
N/A
Not known
Ten Commitments Consultation
Rating of Site under Traffic Light Model:
Green
Outline Consultation carried out: Pre-application consultation letters were sent to the Ward
Councillors Chris Williams, Mike Mansfield and Helen Groves
Summary of outcome/Main issues raised:
No comments have been received to date.
School/College
Location of site in relation to school/college:
Beechfield Infant School – 0.29 miles away from proposed site
Churchfield Church of England Primary School – 0.29 miles away from proposed site
Outline of consultation carried out with school/college:
Pre-application consultation letters sent with drawings.
Summary of outcome/Main issues raised
No comments received to date.
Civil Aviation Authority/Secretary of State for Defence/Aerodrome Operator
consultation (only required for an application for prior approval)
Will the structure be within 3km of an aerodrome or airfield?
Has the Civil Aviation Authority/Secretary of State for
Defence/Aerodrome Operator been notified?
Details of response: N/a
No
No
Developer’s Notice
Copy of Developer’s Notice enclosed?
Date served:
Yes
21/07/14
3.
Proposed Development
The proposed site:
The technical requirements for this base station have been reviewed following Vodafone Ltd’s
and Telefónica UK Ltd recently announced plans to jointly operate and manage a single
network grid across the UK. These arrangements will be overseen by Cornerstone
Telecommunications Infrastructure Ltd (CTIL) which is a joint venture company owned by
Telefónica UK Limited and Vodafone Limited.
This agreement allows both organisations to:
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


Pool their basic network infrastructure, while running two, independent,
nationwide networks
Maximise opportunities to consolidate the number of base stations
significantly reduce the environmental impact of network development.
The existing electronic communications apparatus is sited on the grounds of The CoOperative Food store / depot. Access to the site is via Southwell Cresent that is accessed
from Market Street (B1339), that links Burnham-On-Sea to the North West and Higbridge to
the North. The surrounding land use is predominately residential with commercial and open
parkland within the local surroundings.
The main changes to the base station are:

The upgrade works involves the following works; Proposed removal of 15m (17.3m
overall) Phase 1 K3.0 Monopole 6 No. antennas, 1 cabinet (RBS3101) and installation
of 15m (17.4m overall) Phase 4.5 Monopole with Headframe, 6 No. new antennas, 3
No. RRU’s, 2 No. 0.3m dish and 1 No replacement equipment cabinet (BTS 3900AL)
located at ground level is proposed.. (1 x BTS 3900AL) measuring 0.77m (w) x 0.75m
(d) x 1.725m (h) and (1 x Alifabs TSC) measuring (w) 0.60m x (d) 0.60m x (h) 1.415m at
ground level within existing VF compound.
The proposal will replace the existing CU Phosco Phase 1 K3 Monopole with a new CU
Phosco Phase 4.5 Monopole that is capable of housing the additional new antennas on a
headframe. 1 No. BTS3900AL and I No. Alifabs TSC cabinets are required to replace the
removed 1 No. RBS3101 cabinet, that will be located within the existing VF Equipment
compound. Due to the type of headframe proposed, in order to accommodate the antennas,
there will be an increase in the overall height by 0.1m, but it is not envisaged that it will have
any significant impact upon the wider surrounding area. As a result, along with the by locating
the new antennas on the new similar monopole on a headframe and locating the new cabinets
within the existing compound at ground level the overall development will roughly be the same
as the existing as illustrated by drawings 300 and 301, taking into consideration design
constraints.
The proposed equipment cabinets are required as the existing equipment cabinets
are unable to accommodate the electronic communications apparatus required to upgrade the
base station.
The proposed upgrade of this base station will permit it to provide 2G, 3G and 4G RF coverage
to the surrounding area for Vodafone and O2.
Proposed cabinets and mast location - For illustrative purposes only:
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Cabinets to be located within
existing compound – Existing
Phase 1 to be swapped out to a
Phae 4.5 monopole
Enclose map showing the cell centre and adjoining cells:
N/A
Type of Structure: New 15m high (Overall 17.5m) Monopole with headframe
Description: CU Phosco Phase 4.5 - (17.5m overall)
Overall Height: 17.5m
Height of existing building
Equipment Housing: Additional BTS3900AL and Alifabs TSC cabinets
Length:
Width:
Height:
Materials
Tower/mast etc – type of material and external
colour:
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Steel – Colour – Galvanised
N/a
(BTS) 0.77m
(TSC) 0.60m
(BTS) 0.75m
(TSC) 0.60m
(BTS) 1.725m
(TSC) 0.141m
Equipment housing – type of material and
external colour:
BTS3900AL – Steel – Colour – Green
TSC – Steel - Colour – Green
Reasons for choice of design:
This design solution is proposed as it will meet the technical objectives with minimal visual
impact. As can be seen from the submitted drawings, the proposal, will require a replacement
structure with headframe. The existing Phase 1 monopole will be replaced with a Phase 4.5
monopole with headframe.
The replacement equipment cabinets (BTS3900AL and TSC) are required to make
improvements to the digital network coverage for both operators in addition to new LTE
Coverage in this area and will be housed within the exsiting VF compound.
4.
Technical Information
ICNIRP Declaration attached
Yes
ICNIRP public compliance is determined by mathematical calculation and
implemented by careful location of antennas, access restrictions and/or
barriers and signage as necessary. Members of the public cannot
unknowingly enter areas close to the antennas where exposure may
exceed the relevant guidelines.
When determining compliance the emissions from all mobile phone
network operators on the site are taken into account.
Frequency:
4G 800 MHz Cellular
band
2G/3G 900 MHz
Cellular Band
2G 1800 MHz Cellular
Band
3G 2100 MHz Cellular
Band
4G 2600 MHz Cellular
Band
Modulation characteristics2
2G (900 or 1800) –
GMSK
3G (900 or 2100) –
QPSK
4G (800 or 2600) – 64
QAM.
2
The modulation method employed in 2G (GSM) is GMSK (Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying) which is a form of Phase
modulation
The modulation method employed in 3G (UMTS) is QPSK (Quad Phase Shift Keying) which is another form of Phase
Modulation
The modulation method employed in 4G (LTE) is 64 QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) which is another form of
Phase Modulation
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Power output (expressed in EIRP in dBW per carrier)
800 MHz Cellular band
– 31 dBW
900 MHz Cellular Band
– 32 dBW
1800 MHz Cellular
Band – 32 dBW
2100 MHz Cellular
Band – 35 dBW
2600 MHz Cellular band
– 31 dBW
In order to minimise interference within its own network and with
other radio networks, Vodafone Ltd and Telefónica UK Ltd operates
its network in such a way the radio frequency power outputs are
kept to the lowest levels commensurate with effective service
provision
As part of Vodafone Ltd and Telefónica UK Ltd’s network, the radio
base station that is the subject of this application will be configured
to operate in this way.
All operators of radio transmitters are under a legal obligation to
operate those transmitters in accordance with the conditions of their
licence. Operation of the transmitter in accordance with the
conditions of the licence fulfils the legal obligations in respect of
interference to other radio systems, other electrical equipment,
instrumentation or air traffic systems. The conditions of the licence
are mandated by Ofcom, an agency of national government, who
are responsible for the regulation of the civilian radio spectrum. The
remit of Ofcom also includes investigation and remedy of any
reported significant interference.
The telecommunications infrastructure the subject of this application
accords with all relevant legislation and as such will not cause
significant and irremediable interference with other electrical
equipment, air traffic services or instrumentation operated in the
national interest.
Height of antenna (m above ground level)
5.
(Approx) 15.4m to
under side of antenna
Technical Justification
Reason(s) why site required e.g. coverage, upgrade, capacity (map attached if required):
The proposed development is required as Vodafone Ltd and Telefónica UK Ltd, two of the
UK’s designated Electronic Communications Code Network Operators, and trading as
Vodafone and O2 respectively, have identified a specific need to upgrade the existing radio
base station to provide improved and new 2G, 3G and 4G network coverage to the local area.
I’m sure you will appreciate that mobiles can only work with a network of base stations in place
where people want to use their mobile phones or other wireless devices. Without base
stations, the mobile phones and other devices we rely on simply won’t work.
The shared base station is designed to provide 2G GSM, 3G UMTS and 4G LTE RF (radioCTIL Industry Site Specific Supplementary Information v.2
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frequency) coverage for both Vodafone and O2, and it is for 3G services that the public’s
demand for mobile services is currently greatest; it was only in summer 2013 that Vodafone
and O2 launched their 4G services, particularly the public’s demand for smartphones with
Internet access, which OFCOM indicates is currently by far the most rapidly growing sector.
The percentage of the UK population with an active 3G connection (internet enabled mobile
phone, USB dongle, data-card or tablet) increased more than twelve-fold between the end of
2004, when just 4.3% of the UK population had a 3G connection and 2010 when 53.2% had
such a connection, and in Q1 2013 OFCOM reported 49% of UK adults accessed the Internet
via their mobile phones, more than double the 20% who used this method only 4 years ago.
Of the 33.2 million active 3G, UMTS subscriptions at the end of 2010, O2 had 7.9 million and
Vodafone 7.1 million, and in its 2011 report OFCOM in its summary of ‘key market
developments’ described this development as follows: “The explosion in mobile data volumes.
The increasing use of mobile broadband services via dongles and smartphones resulted in a
67% increase in data transferred over the UK’s mobile networks in 2010…”
In its 2012 report, OFCOM indicated that in addition to the 81.6 million active mobile phone
subscriptions at the end of 2011, there were additionally 4.9 million active 3G mobile
broadband subscribers, almost double the number of such subscribers than in 2008, when
there were 2.6 million. In its 2013 report OFCOM stated that 49% of UK adults now regularly
used their mobile phone for internet access, with 24% of UK households now owning a tablet.
The number of tablet owners doubled in 12 months to the end of 2012 and nearly a third of
owners stated it is their most important device for accessing the Internet.
By comparison with the very rapid growth in the number of mobile phones, particularly
smartphones (51% of all adults claimed to own one at the end of 2012) and tablets with
embedded cellular SIMs, the number of fixed exchange-lines, has fallen significantly, by 3.4
million since 2002, to 33.1 million at the end of 2012 (made up of 8.8 million business lines and
24.3 million residential lines). With the drop in the number of fixed exchange-lines and
increase in number of households in the UK, the percentage of ‘mobile dependent’
households, that is, those households reliant on mobile phones as their sole means of
telephony has increased from 7% to 15% during the period end-2002 to Q1-2013.
For the average UK household in 2013 mobile telephony was of far greater importance than
fixed exchange-line telephony, with in 2012 94% of households having access to at least one
mobile phone, while only 84% of households had a fixed exchange-line. Indeed, in 2012 there
was a considerably greater voice call volume from mobiles than fixed-line telephones: 122
billion voice call minutes from mobile phones, a 72% increase since 2005, and 103 billion
voice call minutes from fixed lines, a 37% decrease since 2005 (in 2005 there were 71 billion
voice call minutes from mobiles and 163 billion voice call minutes from fixed lines). In addition
152 billion SMS messages and 674 million MMS (picture) messages were sent from mobile
phones in 2012, more than double the number of such messages sent in 2007, when 66 billion
SMS and 330 million MMS messages were sent.
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The distribution of ‘mobile-only’ households is however not evenly spread within society. In
2004 OFCOM showed that 26% of unemployed households, 14% of households with an
annual income of below £9.5k and 11% of households with an annual income below £17.5k
relied solely on mobile telephony. This skewed distribution remains and at the end of Q1 2013
while only 11% of households in socio-economic groups A, B, and C1 were mobile-only, 15%
of C2 households and 26%, more than one in four, D and E households, did not have a fixed
exchange-line, which OFCOM attributed to a combination of factors including, lower-income
households not wanting to commit to lengthy 12 to 18 month minimum-term fixed-line
contracts, having trouble passing the credit checks that some providers require, or seeking to
control their telephony spend by using pre-pay mobiles as an alternative to fixed telephony.
Indeed, it now costs on average about 6% more to make a call from a fixed exchange line as
compared to calling from a mobile phone: the average cost per minute of calls from mobiles in
2012 it was 8.6p per minute, down from 10.9p per minute in 2007. By comparison, the
average cost of fixed line calls has increased from 7.6p per minute in 2007 to 9.1p per minute
in 2012.
Indeed, the very high level of mobile phone use and ownership within the UK population is a
very clear indication of the public’s overwhelming acceptance of the benefits of mobile
communications, which requires the installation and maintenance of base stations to provide
the necessary connection between the mobile phones and the UK telecommunications
network.
It is for these reasons that the National Planning Policy Framework and the government’s Plan
for Growth initiative (see section 6 of this statement) place such emphasis on encouraging the
continued rollout of digital infrastructure networks of which the proposed development will form
a key part.
Further detail regarding the general operation of the network can be found in the
accompanying document entitled ‘General Background Information for Telecommunications
Development’. This information is provided to assist the local planning authority in
understanding any technical constraints on the location of the proposed development.
6.Site Selection Process – alternative sites considered and not chosen (Enclose map
highlighting all alternatives that have been considered by the operator) –N/A
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If no alternative site options have been investigated, please explain why:
As a sequential test had been undertaken to demonstrate the existing site as the most
appropriate location, no alternative sites have not been considered as apart of this application.
Those alternative options considered were presented as part of the original prior approval
application and therefore formed a part of the considerations undertaken as part LPA’s
determination process. The LPA is encouraged to review those options considered to assist in
the determination process for this application.
Undertaking a similar exercise is not deemed necessary as this base station now forms a part
of the localised network and accordingly, Radio Engineering have nominated the base station
for an upgrade as it was considered to be the best solution in achieving operational
requirements in the geographic area, rather than seek an alternative location.
In the event an alternative option was to be pursued, the formation of localised network of cells
may be disrupted and a creation of a new ‘coverage deficient hole’ may be presented. As a
remedy, the Operator may need to deploy an additional mast to ‘infill’ the coverage hole and
this would lead to mast proliferation. Such activity would not be compliant with National and
local planning policy.
The existing base station was granted planning approval on the grounds that it would have an
acceptable visual impact and there was demonstrable need for the development as part of
Vodafone Ltd’s digital infrastructure networks in this area. The upgrade works to an existing
base station site will have negligible additional visual impact as it involves minor changes to
the base station and do not alter this position in any significant way.
The upgrade works is considered to be the best technical and town planning solution and a
preferable alternative to the development of an additional base station/mast elsewhere in the
area.
Additional relevant information:
Siting and Visual Impact Considerations
The proposed upgrade works involve relatively minor changes to the siting and design of the
approved base station, namely:

a different type of monopole with headframe, although this will increase the overall mast
size and height by 0.1m it is considered an acceptable design solution at this location;

there will be two additional cabinets installed within the existing VF compound and
removal of 1 No. cabinets.
To all intents and purposes, the proposed siting and design of the development will be very
similar to that of the existing base station ie intended to be a replacement of the existing
structure.
Local Policy
It is understood, that Sedgemoor District Council have no specific telecom policy within the
Local Development Framework Core Strategy 2006-2027. Therefore, the Local Authority refers
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to the NPPF for main planning policy guidance in relation to telecommunications.
National Planning Policies
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which sets out the Government’s national
planning policies for England, was published on 27 March 2012. Paragraph 14 of the NPPF
states that a presumption in favour of sustainable development lies at the heart of the planning
system and, in respect of decision-taking, this means that development applications that
accord with the provisions of the Development Plan should be approved without delay.
In our view, the upgrade also accords fully with all relevant NPPF guidance. The development
is supported by paragraph 17, third bullet point, of the Core Planning Principles of the NPPF,
which states that decision-taking should:
“…proactively drive and support sustainable economic development to deliver the homes,
business and industrial units, infrastructure and thriving local places that the country needs…”
This theme is developed further in Section 5 ‘Supporting high quality communications
infrastructure’ of the Achieving Sustainable Development section of the NPPF (paragraphs 4246) where the government sets out its objectives for national telecommunications planning
policy.
Paragraph 42 emphasises that advanced, high quality communications infrastructure is
essential for achieving sustainable economic growth, and that high speed broadband and
other communications networks, such as the development and its role in Telefónica UK and
Vodafone Ltd’s digital infrastructure networks, play a vital role in enhancing the provision of a
range of local community facilities and services. This central plank of government planning
guidance for communications infrastructure is clearly supportive of the development at the
application site.
The development also accords with other key guidance contained in section 5 of the NPPF,
namely:
•
The installation of electronic communications apparatus at an existing base station
meets national planning policy objectives of keeping the numbers of telecommunications
masts and sites to the minimum consistent with network requirements (paragraph 43);
•
The siting and design of the development complies with the objective that equipment
should be sympathetically designed and camouflaged where appropriate (paragraph 43);
•
An appropriate level of consultation has taken place in advance of submitting the
planning application (paragraph 44);
•
An ICNIRP declaration is submitted (paragraph 45).
The development also accords fully with the design guidance contained in section 7 of the
NPPF. In this regard, the development is an acceptable design solution that is an entirely
suitable development given the context of the application site: it, therefore, meets fully the
guidance contained in paragraph 65 of the NPPF, which states that:
“Local Planning Authorities should not refuse planning permission for buildings or
infrastructure which promote high levels of sustainability because of concerns about
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incompatibility with an existing townscape, if those concerns have been mitigated by good
design (unless the concern relates to a designated heritage asset and the impact would cause
material harm to the asset or its setting which is not outweighed by the proposal’s economic,
social and environmental benefits).”
In respect of this guidance, it has been demonstrated that the development does not have any
significant visual impact, as it essentially the same siting and design as the existing base
station, and does not affect any heritage asset. It, therefore, follows that significant weight
should be given to the need for the development in view of the wider socio-economic and
sustainable development benefits of providing improved network coverage in this area, entirely
in accordance with section 5 of the NPPF.
The Plan for Growth and Ministerial Statement
The ‘Plan for Growth’ report, published alongside the Budget 2011 announcement in March
2011, outlines the government’s intention to refocus the planning system to include a
presumption in favour of sustainable development, including measures to support the UK’s
digital infrastructure and mobile broadband communications networks. These objectives are
now reflected in part in the NPPF.
The Plan for Growth is directly relevant to this application, as the development will enable
Telefónica UK Ltd and Vodafone Ltd to improve their digital infrastructure services to the local
area, including mobile broadband services, where there is currently a need to undertake
upgrade works to the existing base station.
On 23 March 2011, the Minister of State for Decentralisation issued a statement on the
Planning for Growth agenda that is a material consideration in the determination of this
application. This statement included the following guidance:
“...The Government’s top priority in reforming the planning system is to promote sustainable
economic growth and jobs. The Government’s clear expectation is that the answer to
development and growth should wherever possible be ‘yes’, except where this would
compromise the key sustainable development principles set out in national planning policy...”
(Second paragraph); and
“...When deciding whether to grant planning permission, local planning authorities should
support enterprise and facilitate housing, economic and other forms of sustainable
development. Where relevant - and consistent with their statutory obligations - they should
therefore:
(i) consider fully the importance of national planning policies aimed at fostering economic
growth and employment, given the need to ensure a return to robust growth after the recent
recession...
(iii) consider the range of likely economic, environmental and social benefits of proposals;
including long term or indirect benefits such as increased consumer choice, more viable
communities and more robust local economies (which may, where relevant, include matters
such as job creation and business productivity)...
(v) ensure that they do not impose unnecessary burdens on development...”.
The upgraded base station, which is an integral part of Telefónica UK Ltd and Vodafone Ltd’s
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network, is precisely the type of high-speed digital infrastructure that the Government is
seeking to support as part of the presumption in favour of sustainable development. Moreover,
the upgrade will deliver social, economic, and environmental benefits by improving network
coverage in this area.
In addition to the above, the proposed upgrade of an existing base station to a similar structure
in terms of height, fully satisfies the relevant section of the above policy. The proposal mimics
the existing installation in terms of appearance and as only a slight height increase is proposed
(0.1m) with the two additional cabinets to be located within the existing VF compound, the
proposal will not cause detrimental harm to surrounding residential / commercial setting. The
proposed materials and colouring of the installation has been given due consideration to
ensure it replicates the current equipment on site. It is believed the proposal set out in this
application fully accords with the above policy.
Contact Details
Name: (Agent)
Operator:
Address:
Chris Jefferies
CTIL Telefonica &
Vodafone Ltd
Vodafone House, The
Connection, Newbury,
RG14 2FN and Telefónica
UK Ltd, 260 Bath Road,
Slough, Berkshire, SL1
4DX
Signed:
Position:
Senior Acquisition
Surveyor
Telephone:
Fax no:
07903 510016
Email Address:
[email protected]
Date:
21/07/14
Company:
CAIP Ltd
(on behalf of CTIL
and above
operator)
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