Larkhall Sports Club, Larkhall, Bath, BA1 8DJ

installation of a 20-metre-high telecommunications monopole accommodating 6no antenna apertures, 4no transmission dishes, 8no ground-based equipment cabinets and development ancillary thereto. The proposed development will replace an existing 15 metre-high telecommunications monopole and 4no ground-based equipment cabinets within a fenced compound

Authority: Bath and North East Somerset Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: telecoms · Other minor developments
Inspector: Jones RE

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

Whether or not the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt
The effect upon the openness of the Green Belt
The effect upon the character and appearance of the area, including the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
If the proposal would be inappropriate development, whether or not any harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, would be clearly outweighed by other considerations so as to amount to the very special circumstances necessary to justify it

What decided it

The substantial harm to the Green Belt through inappropriate development and loss of openness, combined with significant harm to the character and appearance of the Cotswolds AONB, could not be outweighed by the benefits of improved digital communications infrastructure.

Framework references: 137, 176

Plan policies cited: Policy CP8, Policy CP6, Policy NE2

Read the decision letter on the Inspectorate’s site

The main issues and the deciding factor are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.

What an account adds

Draw a red line around your site and the appraisal follows.

Heritage. Listed buildings by grade and distance, conservation areas, scheduled monuments, registered parks and gardens, heritage at risk.
Landscape and environment. Green belt, national parks and national landscapes, SSSIs, ancient woodland, SPA, SAC and Ramsar sites, nutrient catchments.
Flooding. Flood zones 2 and 3, surface water, and both again with climate change.
Transport. The 800 metre station catchment and service frequency, bus stops with their weekday frequency, the cycle network, and the Framework’s transport tests measured for the site.

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