Telecommunications

169. A modern and efficient telecommunications network is essential to support the economy of Hampshire and can significantly benefit local communities. Telecommunications may also help reduce the need for travel by enabling more activities (such as working, shopping, education and healthcare) to be based locally or in the home.

TC1 Telecommunications development will be permitted provided all possible steps have been taken to minimise the environmental effects of the proposal.

Where there would be a conflict with environmental objectives, it will need to be demonstrated that:

(i) there is no reasonable possibility of sharing existing facilities;

(ii) there are no satisfactory alternative sites available;

(iii) in the case of radio antennas and masts, there is no reasonable possibility of erecting an antenna on an existing building or other structure.

The need to safeguard areas of particular environmental sensitivity will, in some circumstances, outweigh the benefits of permitting telecommunications development.

170. This policy will facilitate the growth of telecommunications infrastructure while protecting the environment. The operational requirements of telecommunications development need to be respected, and in some cases the significance of the proposed development as part of a national network will be relevant. Special consideration also needs to be given to the visual and physical impact of major telecommunications proposals on local character and amenity, including landscape, townscape, nature conservation and archaeological interests. In order to reduce the impact of telecommunications development, local planning authorities may encourage the installers of new antennas to explore the possibility of erecting antennas on existing buildings, masts or other structures or of sharing a site.