Land at Abbey Road Sports Field, Darlington, DL3 8HL

the installation of telecoms equipment including 17.5m high monopole supporting 6 no. antennas and 2 no. 300mm dishes, installation of 2 no equipment cabinets, bollards and associated ancillary works (amended plans received 17 March 2022)

Authority: Darlington Borough Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: telecoms · Other minor developments
Inspector: Jones H

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

The effect of the siting and appearance of the installation on the outlook of the occupiers of 41 Abbey Road
The effect of the siting and appearance of the installation on the character and appearance of the area, including West End Conservation Area
If any harm would occur, whether this is outweighed by the need for the installation to be sited as proposed taking into account any suitable alternatives

What decided it

The less than substantial harm to the character and appearance of West End Conservation Area, to which great weight must be attributed under the Framework, could not be outweighed by the public benefits of improved telecommunications infrastructure.

Framework references: 117, 202

Plan policies cited: Policy IN7

Read the decision letter on the Inspectorate’s site

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What an account adds

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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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