Fibre poles recommended for planning approval despite residents' objections

18 telegraph poles across five estates would connect 75 premises to faster broadband

A series of planning applications to install telegraph poles to connect homes in Peel and Glen Vine to fibre broadband have been recommended for approval.

It comes despite a number of objections from residents in the areas affected, with concerns over the visual impact of the poles.

The planning committee will consider five applications by Manx Telecom when it sits on Tuesday; four relating to estates in Peel and one for Ballagarey Road in Glen Vine.

If approved, it would enable the telecoms provider to install a total of 18 telegraph poles, giving 75 premises the ability to receive fibre broadband.

Reports from the planning officer to the committee found the applications seek to comply with government's strategic plan to expand telecoms infrastructure, as well as the National Telecoms Strategy, which aims to deliver ultrafast broadband to 99 percent of the Island's premises.

The planning report says Manx Telecom already has 2,500 wooden poles in use across its network, and that to bury the cables underground instead would result in gardens and driveways being dug up at the customer's expense.

However, each of the applications received objections from the areas' local authorities, MHKs and residents.

Peel Town Commissioners stated the poles would create "a cluttered street scene" as well as being "unsightly for a modern urban environment".

Looking at the application for the poles in Glen Vine, Marown Parish Commissioners said the plans were "incongruous in the estate", and questioned why the estate wasn't future proofed when it was built.

Concerns from residents in the affected areas focussed mainly on the appearance of the poles, with comments that the poles will be ugly, an eyesore and unsightly.

Despite these objections, the planning officer found the benefits outweigh the "very limited visual harm", stating residents would not be affected by loss of light, overbearing impact or loss of privacy.

The final decision will rest with the committee when it sits on Tuesday.