The Minister said: “Modern telecommunications systems continue to have a vital role to play in bringing important economic and social benefits to Northern Ireland. Over one million people now own a mobile phone and demand continues to grow. New services are also being developed – in particular to expand affordable access to broadband.
“Ongoing development of our telecommunications infrastructure is therefore needed to accommodate this growth. However, it is also essential that this infrastructure is delivered sensitively, minimising impact on our environment.
“My Department’s new guidance provides advice on the process of site selection and design of telecommunications equipment. It illustrates various techniques that can be employed to minimise the environmental impact and visual intrusion of such proposals - not just in environmentally sensitive areas - but everywhere. In addition, examples of good practice from Northern Ireland and beyond are provided.”
The Minister advised that the main purpose of the guidance is to complement planning policy on telecommunications set out in Planning Policy Statement 10 published in April 2002. It demonstrates why additional base stations are needed to serve the growth in customer demand and in response to changing technical requirements, including the roll-out of third generation mobile phone systems. She stressed that the guidance does not deal with the issue of health concerns as these will continue to be assessed in the context of the detailed advice from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety set out in PPS 10.
Notes to Editors:
- Development Control Advice Note 14 (DCAN 14) is entitled ‘Siting and Design of Radio Telecommunications Equipment’.
- DCAN 14 provides guidance on the process of site selection and design and illustrates how equipment can be sensitively installed. It is relevant to the full range of radio telecommunications equipment including mobile, Fixed Radio Access (FRA), microwave link and television and radio broadcasting. The DCAN also explains why additional base stations are needed to serve the growth in customer demand and in response to changing technical requirements.
- It is one of a series of Advice Notes which provide non-statutory supplementary planning guidance in support of the Department’s planning policies. DCAN 14 is intended to complement the Department’s policy on telecommunications development contained in Planning Policy Statement 10 published in April 2002.
- PPS 10 aims to ensure that proposals for telecommunication apparatus can be sited and designed in a way which continues to provide Northern Ireland with world class telecommunications services, whilst minimising the environmental impact.
- A public consultation draft of DCAN 14 was issued in July 2003. In total 39 responses were received from a wide range of interests covering a range of issues. Several comments were detailed, particularly those from the telecommunications industry and several of the district councils. All comments have been addressed in a Summary of Responses.
- DCAN 14: Siting and Design of Radio Telecommunications and the Summary of Responses as well as PPS 10 can be accessed on the Planning Service website
or be obtained from DOE’s Planning and Environmental Policy Group, River House, 48 High Street, Belfast BT1 2AW. - For media enquiries please contact DOE Press Office 028 9054 0014 or out of office hours, contact the EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
