Fibre-broadband telegraph pole plans rejected

Manx Telecom, has been contracted to install fibre across the island

A series of bids to install dozens of fibre-broadband telegraph poles across the north of the Isle of Man have been rejected amid concerns about their appearance and the impact on wildlife.

The island's planning committee rejected seven of eight applications for the poles from Manx Telecom, approving only a single pole in Andreas.

The company, which has been contracted to install fibre-broadband across the island, says the poles are the cheapest way to introduce the technology.

Reflecting on the decision, the firm said it was "carefully considering our options".

'Disappointed'

The applications largely focussed on the north of the island in Ramsey, Ballaugh and Andreas, with a further single application for nine poles in Onchan.

In total, 53 poles were proposed, each measuring 9m (29.5ft) in height.

Addressing the committee, a Manx Telecom representative said that as well as being the cheapest way to deliver fibre, it was also the "most practical".

They added the company would not go forward with an alternative method unless the Manx government provided further funding.

The committee said the company's applications included "factual inaccuracies" and heard from several residents who opposed the installation of the poles on the grounds of their appearance and the potential affect on nature.

A Manx Telecom spokeswoman said the company was "disappointed with the outcome of the recent planning meeting".

It previously said rejections of these applications could delay the island-wide roll-out.

The Department for Enterprise, which is the government department responsible for the rollout, has been asked to comment.

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