Planning Applications - Runnymede Borough Council
Planning Applications - Runnymede Borough Council
Planning Applications - Runnymede Borough Council
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with associated equipment cabinets and compound for a temporary period<br />
of 2 years.<br />
5.2 The main considerations for this application would be the impact on the<br />
openness of the Green Belt in terms of its siting and appearance.<br />
Consideration also needs to be given to the impact of the proposal on the<br />
residential properties to the north of the site and the setting of the Grade II<br />
Listed Buildings.<br />
5.3 Paragraph 65 of <strong>Planning</strong> Policy Guidance Note 8: Telecommunications<br />
(August 2001) states that in Green Belts telecommunication developments<br />
are likely to be inappropriate unless they maintain openness. Inappropriate<br />
development may proceed only if very special circumstances are<br />
demonstrated which outweigh the degree of harm to the Green Belt. The<br />
lack of a suitable alternative site that would meet the needs of network<br />
coverage or capacity might be considered as very special circumstances.<br />
5.4 The applicant is currently negotiating a site share arrangement at Chertsey<br />
sewage treatment site. This site share will not be in place by this summer<br />
when the Public Safety Radio Communication Project starts. This site is a<br />
temporary arrangement only. The applicant states that the two masts in the<br />
immediate vicinity are not tall enough or strong enough for mast sharing.<br />
Both masts would need to be demolished and replaced which is not a<br />
practical solution for a temporary arrangement. The applicant also states<br />
that the antennas used by cellular and Airwave masts are different and it is<br />
not technically possible to mount the antennas at the same level on the<br />
same structure.<br />
5.5 Surrey Police state that radio communication is essential for effective<br />
policing. The current radio systems are entirely unsuitable for the modern<br />
environment. Two different systems, one for contact with vehicle mounted<br />
sets and one for handheld sets are in use. Both types are elderly and both<br />
use technology that is nearly obsolete. Currently radio coverage for the<br />
emergency services is patchy, signal quality is frequently poor and it is easy<br />
to monitor transmissions. Airwave is a digital, encrypted system that will<br />
provide hugely improved transmission quality, greater reliability and<br />
protection from eavesdropping. It can also allow private calls between<br />
officers as well as enhanced facilities for dealing with incidents (there are<br />
opportunities to effect common radio communication between the different<br />
emergency services which is currently almost impossible).<br />
5.6 Surrey Police state that this is not a commercial ‘phone operation but is a<br />
service on which operational policing depends.<br />
5.7 The mast would be located adjacent to Lyne Lane and the M25 and M3<br />
junction. The carriageway is 6-7 metres higher than the field in which the<br />
communication tower would be sited. Viewed from any angle the tower<br />
would have a backdrop of trees, although it would be higher. Given the<br />
proposed location there is also the infrastructure associated with the<br />
Motorways including signage, bridges, street lamps, telegraph poles and the<br />
two additional masts in the locality. Consequently it will not be seen as too<br />
much of an isolated or prominent structure. It is considered that a