Design Access Statement VODAFONE CELL SITE 76676

							   Design & Access Statement


  VODAFONE CELL SITE 76676

  Telecommunications Proposal



              At



RUSHMERE HEATH WATER TOWER,
RUSHMERE ST ANDREW, IPSWICH,
      SUFFOLK, IP5 1WE
We are aware of changes to the development control system that has heralded the need
for Design & Access Statements in relation to a variety of formal planning submissions.

As you will be aware, engineering operations are exempt from this requirement, and
while there is no strict definition within planning legislation that classifies
telecommunications as an engineering operation, it clearly has significant and
substantial similarities.

In addition, our understanding of the spirit of these changes to the development control
system is that it is largely aimed at mainstream development proposals, particularly in
relation to issues of access.

Notwithstanding the above, and our view that telecommunications proposals are not
directly affected by these changes, all formal applications and submissions undertaken
for the telecommunications industry will always address the following:

   •   The siting and design of the scheme, and the principles and concepts that have
       been applied
   •   Where issues of access are pertinent (for example where a new access is being
       formed), the nature and detail of this will be described. It will be appreciated that
       general public access is not permitted in relation to telecommunications
       installations.

In order to assist the LPA in considering this particular submission in the context of the
requirement for Design and Access Statements, we have collected in this document the
various relevant sections contained in the accompanying supporting documentation and
supplementary information.
Design and Access Statements

The following are the relevant headings that need to be considered in relation to design
and access issues, for the purposes of Design and Access Statements

The Design Process

This particular scheme has resulted from a requirement for Vodafone to provide
improved 3G coverage to the roads, residential and business parts of Rushmere St
Andrew, Kesgrave and wider surrounding areas (please see attached coverage plots for
further information).

The scheme seeks to install 3 no. radio antennas upon the legs of the water tower at a
height of 20m above ground level. An equipment cabinet is proposed at ground level
housing the telecommunications equipment along with other ancillary development
thereto.

The location benefits from being an existing structure, as well as already being an
existing telecommunications site, with a number of other Operators already in situ. The
Vodafone proposal seeks to face mount the antennas on the legs of the tower, which
avoids the need for further antennas to be installed above the sky line of the structure,
thus minimising any additional visual impact on the surrounding area.

Use, Layout and Scale

The scheme seeks to design and place an installation that is unobtrusive and minimal in
terms of both siting and appearance. This is achieved by way of utilising an existing
structure, as well as one that is already being utilised for mobile telecommunications
use.

By face mounting the antennas upon the legs of the water tower, we are ensuring that
there are no additional antennas jutting above the skyline of the building and all cables
shall be run up the inside of the tower and coloured grey, so as to be hidden from the
surrounding area.

We believe that the affect on the locality and the adjoining area will be minimal and any
views from nearby residential properties will be unaffected as any equipment will be
viewed against the backdrop of the water tower itself along with any existing equipment,
fencing, shrubs and trees.
Appearance

Type of Structure
Description:

Type of structure is a 38m concrete water tower within a large fenced Anglian Water
compound. The proposal is to face mount 3 x radio antennas upon the water tower at a
height of 20m above ground level, with an equipment cabinet located at ground level with
other ancillary development thereto.

Overall Height:
Height of existing building:          38m to top of water tower
Equipment Housing:                    1 Cabinet
Length:                               1.58 Metres
Width:                                0.38 Metres
Height:                               1.40 Metres
Materials:
Tower/mast etc – type of material and Existing concrete water tower. Antennas
external colour:                      to be face mounted on the legs of the
                                      tower and are coloured grey as standard,
                                      which will blend in with the existing colour
                                      of the water tower.

Equipment housing – type of material and Steel equipment cabinet, coloured Holly
external colour:                         Green with galvanised steel grey meter
                                         cabinet. Can be finished to LPA
                                         requirements.


Landscaping

No additional landscaping has been proposed with the development.

Access

Access to the application site for maintenance and construction purposes is        via an
existing track that runs from the adopted highway to the Anglian Water             secure
compound. Radio base stations are not designed to be accessible by the             public.
Therefore no specific access provisions are required to be incorporated into the   design
of the proposal.

Access to the cabinet, can be taken directly from within the Anglian Water compound, as
the cabinet is located at ground level adjacent to the water tower.

Antenna access is to be obtained via the use of an elevated platform and this will be
parked within the Anglian Water compound adjacent to the water tower.

All access can be obtained from within Anglian Water’s compound and will not interfere
with any nearby footpaths, pavements or public highways.