Appeal 3305651

The appeal is allowed and planning permission is granted for the replacement of an amateur radio antennae at [site address] , Lancashire [postcode] in accordance with the terms of the application, [name]/2022/0241, dated 21 April 2022, and the details submitted with it.

The radio antenna has already been installed. It is attached to the roof of the garage at [site address] and so I was able to view it in situ on my site visit. No plans have been submitted with the appeal documents but photographs are included. In particular, the photograph identified as Photo 1. My decision is based on this submitted photograph and my observations on site.

The main issue is the effect of the radio antenna on the character and appearance of the area.

The appeal site is a semi-detached house located at the end of a cul-de-sac in a residential area. The garage is set back from the front of the house and the radio antenna projects upwards above the ridge of the garage. I saw on my site visit that there are three masts visible on or around the garage. The proposal is referred to as being a replacement for earlier equipment and though there appears to have been some form of radio antenna previously, there is some disagreement about the details of this.

There are limited views of the radio antenna from the cul-de-sac although it is clearly visible from the footpath to the rear of the house1. Although high, the radio antenna is not of a scale that causes undue harm to this residential area. Furthermore, although utilitarian in its design, it does not appear as an incongruous feature within the residential setting. 1 Referred to as The Greenway or [name].

I therefore find that the proposal would not unduly harm the character or appearance of the area. As such, it would comply with Local Plan2 policies SP5, HS5 and IC6 which seek to ensure that the development is of a high standard of design, respects its setting and that telecommunications apparatus minimise its impact on the visual amenity, character or appearance of the landscape/townscape. It would also accord with the objectives of the National Planning Policy Framework3 in relation to communications systems.

Other matters have been raised including a loss of privacy resulting from the radio antenna. However, I have no substantive evidence to support the view that the antenna intrudes on the privacy of the occupiers of neighbouring properties. I have considered all other matters raised but none alter my

The Council has suggested the standard time limit condition for commencement and a condition requiring the development to be carried out in accordance with the approved plans. However, the antenna has been erected and no plans have been submitted as such as the application includes only photographs of the installation already erected. These conditions are not therefore necessary.

For the reasons given above, having regard to the development plan as a whole and all other relevant material considerations, the appeal is allowed.