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V28-224 : W16652/2 - KESSINGLAND WATER TOWER, WHITE'S LANE, KESSINGLAND

Application for provision of two additional telecommunications dishes (600mm diameter) at parapet (roof) level and a replacement equipment cabin at ground level. W1880/6 - HALESWORTH WATER TOWER, BUNGAY ROAD, HALESWORTH

Application for provision of three additional telecommunications dishes (600mm diameter) at parapet (roof) level and replacement (larger) equipment cabin at ground level.

The above applications were considered together as they both involved the erection of telecommunications equipment.

The report of the Head of Planning advised that application W16652/2 concerned a site on the south side of Whites Lane, Kessingland, next to a bungalow to the west and open land to the east. Four letters of objection had been received concerned with unsightliness of the tower, noise levels created by wind passing through the antennae, and possible effects on health from radiation emission. Since writing the report a further letter of objection had been received, and the Head of Planning summarised the contents of the letter, which was concerned with positioning of the tower itself, the site being on the border of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the effects of micro-impulses not being thoroughly assessed. The Parish Council also objected.

Regarding application W1880/6, this involved attachment of telecommunications equipment to an existing 16 metre high water tower located to the west side of Norwich Road, Halesworth, alongside a disused warehouse to the south, residential properties to the west and north and a school playing field to the east. No objections had been received, but the Town Council recommended refusal on public health grounds.

Officers were sympathetic to the objections, but advised that normally these applications would not require planning permission, and the Government encouraged the use of existing structures as a base for telecommunications equipment. Regarding the health issues, the Government had commissioned an independent report to consider these, which found there to be no evidence to indicate that the radiation levels associated with this type of equipment produced any tangible risks to health, although planning authorities should take a "precautionary approach" when assessing proposals.

The Head of Planning recommended approval of both applications subject to painting in a suitable colour and regular audits to ensure radiation levels were within recognised acceptable limits. Members concurred with this view, but wished for an independent report to be commissioned regarding levels of radiation, and that copies of this report be made available to the two Parish/Town Councils.

RESOLVED

That planning permission be granted to applications W16652/2 and W1880/6, subject to painting in a suitable colour, regular audits being carried out to ensure that radiation levels are within recognised acceptable limits, and an independently commissioned report on the levels of radiation emitted from each site, with copies of the report made available to Kessingland Parish and Halesworth Town Councils.


Volume 28 Minute 224

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