Planning Practice Note
Satellite antennae and small scale telecommunications developments
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this Practice Note is to inform the public of planning policy and practice on small scale telecommunications developments such as satellite antennas, aerials and small cellular telephone network installations.
This leaflet does not deal with telecommunications masts and base stations. There are special policies and procedures for these developments which are described in Telecommunications masts and base stations.
THE IMPACT OF TELECOMMUNICATION DEVELOPMENTS
The environmental impacts of fixed link telecommunications have been reducing in recent years. Service providers have a long-running programme of putting their cables underground. This has meant the near elimination of unsightly overhead telephone wires from many of our towns, villages and landscapes.
However, the rapid growth of radio based telecommunications has spawned large numbers of masts, satellite antennas and other equipment which is widely regarded as unsightly especially if poorly located.
We have to take into account:
promoting the use of the new technologies;
- protecting the high quality of the landscape and townscape of the District; and
- concerns about possible health risks.
PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT
The Government has set frameworks for answering this question by granting planning permission for telecommunications developments that it considers to be minor, through the General Permitted Development Order. Such developments are known as Permitted Development (PD).
Satellite antennas on dwellings
A satellite antenna on a dwelling is PD if:
- no dimension exceeds:
- 45cm on a roof;
- 90cm in any other case;
- there is no other satellite antenna on the building;
- if mounted on a roof, no part is higher than the highest part of the roof;
- if mounted on a chimney no part is higher than the highest part of the chimney;
- in the AONB or a conservation area:
- it is not on a chimney;
- it is not on a building over 15m high;
- it is not on a wall or roof slope facing a highway.
Similar rules apply to non-domestic buildings.
CB and other aerials
Similar rules apply to CB aerials and similar equipment.
Antennas and aerials not mounted on buildings
Within the curtilages of dwellings satellite antennas not mounted on buildings must satisfy the same requirements as for other curtilage buildings. They are PD if:
- no part is nearer to any highway than:
- any part of the dwelling;
- any point 20 metres from the highway;
whichever is nearer to the highway;
- no part is higher than 3 metres;
- their purpose is 'incidental to the enjoyment of the dwelling as such'
Macrocell and picocell transmitters
These terms describe small scale booster transmitters for the cellular telephone networks. They are often located within developments such as railway stations and shopping precincts where cellular telephone traffic is generally high. Because of their size and location these installations rarely require planning permission.
Planning permission
Planning permission is required in all cases not mentioned above.
Listed buildings
Listed building consent is always required for a satellite antenna or other equipment to be mounted on a listed building or a building in the curtilage of a listed building.
PLANNING POLICY
South Shropshire District Council as LPA closely follows Government policy in its handling of applications for new telecommunications development. Specifically:
- it supports the introduction of the new technologies; but
- it expects the highest possible standards of design of such equipment to minimise adverse visual impacts;
- when planning permission and listed building consent are needed, it requires satellite antennas and other installations to be carefully and discreetly sited so as to preserve the character and appearance of the building or area;
- where proposals are Permitted Development the LPA encourages property owners and installers to design and site equipment in as sensitive way as possible given the technical requirements of the installation.
Health risks
There are no proven health risks arising from normal use of any of the development types referred to in this leaflet. However, a precautionary approach should still be adopted. Particular care should be taken to ensure protective cases to certain antennas remain in place.
Care should also be taken to ensure that all equipment is securely fixed and will not give rise to injury or damage to property.
PUBLICITY FOR PLANNING AND OTHER APPLICATIONS
Full publicity will be given to all telecommunication developments.
The Council advertises in the normal way all:
- applications for planning permission for telecommunications installations;
- applications for listed building consent involving telecommunications;
- any details arising from requirements to submit details of siting and design.
Representations on any such applications should be made in writing in the normal way by the date given in the site notice or other publicity to the Head of Planning, South Shropshire District Council, Stone House, Corve Street, Ludlow, Shropshire, SY81DG
© Copyright South Shropshire District Council,
Stone House, Corve Street,
Ludlow, Shropshire, SY8 1DG.
Tel: (01584) 813000
Fax: (01584) 813128
e-mail: planning@southshropshire.gov.uk
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Subscribe to changes to this page here.Author: Planning and Building Control. Last Updated: 13/2/2007.
