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{SITE DETAILS} / {CLIENT NAME} RURAL SOLUTIONS LTD

1

LAND AT LONG ASHES PARK , THRESHF I ELD , NORTH YORKSH IRE

G R I D L O C A T I O N : 5 4 . 0 7 8 1 8 0 , - 2 . 0 3 6 1 8 6

APPL ICATION DETA ILS

R E T E N T I O N O F 1 0 M T I M B E R M AS T P O L E W I T H 2 ‘ U B I Q U I T I A I R F I B E R 2 4 AN T E N N AE ’ , 2

U B I Q U I T I A I R F I B R E 5 X A N T E N N A S , 2 R F E L E M E N T H O R N A N T E N N A S A N D A C E R A G O N

F I B R E A I R I P - 2 0 E W I T H 6 0 C M C O M M S C O P E A N T E N N AE

DES IGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT

L O C A T I O N

L A N D A T L O N G A S H E S P A R K , T H R E S H F I E L D , N O R T H

Y O R K S H I R E

P R O P O S A L

R E T E N T I O N O F 1 0 M T I M B E R M A S T P O L E W I T H 2 U B I Q U I T I

A I R F I B E R 2 4 A N T E N N A , 2 U B I Q U I T I A I R F I B E R 5 X A N T E N N A , 2

R F E L E M E N T H O R N A N T E N N A A N D A C E R A G O N F I B R E A I R I P -

2 0 E W I T H 6 0 C M C O M M S C O P E A N T E N N A .

A P P L I C A N T

B O U N D L E S S N E T W O R K S

I S S U E D A T E

8 T H A U G U S T 2 0 1 7

D R A F T E D B Y

F I O N A T I P L A D Y

M R T P I , S E N I O R P L A N N E R

R E V I E W E D B Y

J A M E S P O D E S T A

M R T P I , A S S O C I A T E D I R E C T O R

A U T H O R I S E D B Y

J A M E S P O D E S T A

M R T P I , A S S O C I A T E D I R E C T O R

DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT

karenb

Typewritten Text

22.08.17

karenb

Group

AUTHOR VERSION DATE

FT VERSION 1.1 03/08/2017

CE VERSION 1.2 03/08/2017

CE VERSION 1.3 04/08/2017

FT VERSION 1.4 08/08/2017

CE VERSION 1.5 08/08/2017

CONTENTS

1 . I N T R O D U C T I O N 6

2 . C O N T E X T O F S I T E 8

3 . T H E P R O P O S A L S 1 0

4 . R E L E V A N T L O C A L P L A N P O L I C I E S – T H E Y O R K S H I R E D A L E S

L O C A L P L A N 1 3

5 . N A T I O N A L P A R K M A N A G E M E N T P L A N 1 4

6 . N A T I O N A L P L A N N I N G P O L I C Y G U I D A N C E ( N P P F ) 1 5

7 . L A N D S C A P I N G A N D D E S I G N M A T T E R S 1 6

8 . S U M M A R Y 1 7

A P P E N D I X A 1 8

DES IGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT PREPARED BY

LAND AT LONG ASHES PARK / BOUNDLESS NETWORKS RURAL SOLUTIONS LTD

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1 . INTRODUCTION

1.1: Sustainab le development is at the heart of the National P lanning Pol icy Framework

(NPPF) and in an up to date Local P lan . I t is recognised at paragraph 42 of the

NPPF that ‘advanced, high qual ity communicat ions in frastr ucture is essent ia l for

sustainable economic growth’ . I t is further recogni sed that ‘ the development of

high speed broadband technology and other communicat ions networks also plays

a vita l ro le in enhancing the provis ion of local community fac i l i t ies and s ervices ’ 1.

1 .2 : The Governments Product iv ity Plan, ‘F ix ing the Foundat ions ; Creat ing a More

Prosperous Nat ion’ , advises that ‘re l iable and high qual ity f ixed and mobi le

broadband connect ions support growth in product iv ity , ef f ic iency and labour force

part ic ipat ion across the whole economy. They enable new and more eff ic ient

bus iness processes , access to new markets and support f lexib le working and

working from home’ 2.

1 .3 : The Code of Best Pract ice 2016 3 highl ights that in terms of the wider economic

impact of mobi le connect iv ity , research by Deloitte on the economic impact of

mobi le broadband across a range of countr ies , showed that a doubl ing of mobi le

data use leads to an increase of 0 .5 percentage points in the Gross Domest ic

Product per capita 4.

1 .4 : Good mobi le connect iv ity a lso promotes soc ia l inc lus ion, helps in the del ivery of

publ ic serv ices inc lud ing telehealth which rel ies on dig ita l connect iv ity . Home

working is enabled which reduces the need for travel and as such , minimises

pol lut ion and helps to move toward a low carbon economy.

1 .5 : The Nat ional Infrastructure Commiss ion in its document ‘Connected Future’

publ ished in December 2016 seeks to ensure meaningful coverage of al l areas to

ensure ‘trans formational change to sectors such as connected heal th, educat ion,

transport and the internet of things ’ .

1 .6 : The Digita l Economy Bi l l received Royal Assent on 27 t h Apr i l 2017 and is now

known as the Digita l Economy Act 2017. I t recognises and legis lates for the fact

that the UK’s dig ita l economy is growing fast and dig ita l technology is transforming

every sector and al l aspects of our l ives . I f the UK is to remain ahead and be a

world leader in the d igita l economy we need to cont inue to ra ise our ambit ion

and the Digita l Economy Act inc ludes a range of measures in support of this .

Amongst other th ings , i t states that the Act wi l l :

• Empower consumers and provide better connect iv ity so that everyone has

access to broadband wherever they l ive ; and

• Bui ld a better infrastructure f i t for the digita l future .

1 Para 42 of the NPPF

2 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fixing-the-foundations-creating-a-moreprosperous-nation

3 Code of Best Practice on Mobile Network Development in England – Agreed 24th June 2016

4 www.gsma.com/publicpolicy/wp-uploads/2012/11/gsma-deloitte-impact-mobiletelephony-economic-growth.pdf



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1.7: This Design and Access Statement is provided in conjunct ion with drawings which

show:

• The s ite locat ion p lan ;

• Layout plan ;

• Elevat ions of mast and equipment inc lud ing photographs of the masts in

their context ;

• Explanatory letter deta i l ing the background to the appl icat ion(s) ; and

• Conf irmat ion that the proposals compl ies with the ICNIRP regulat ions

(document attached as appendix A of th is Design and Access Statement) .

1 .8 : In addit ion, to accord with the Code of Best Pract ice on Mobi le Network

Development , the development has been put into place and this appl icat ion has

been made having regard to the need for good des ign . This has ensured that a

proper assessment of the character of the area concerned has been made and the

des ign of the scheme takes that context into account .



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2 . CONTEXT OF S ITE

2.1: The s ite is located with the Yorksh ire Dales Nat ional Park to the north of the

smal l sett lement of Threshf ie ld . I t is s ited on a s loping which is pos it i oned 548

metres from the B6160. To the east of the mast l ies the Long Ashes caravan/chalet

and le isure park whi lst to the west l ies the extens ive workings of the Threshf ie ld

Quarry.

Pho tog raph : Thres h f ie l d Qua r r y and Long Ashes Pa rk t he eas t .

2.2: The Yorkshire Dales form part of the chain of Pennine uplands running up the

centre of northern England 5. I t is a large upland landscape of h igh exposed

moorland dissected by deep dales and contras ts between wi ld and remote moors

and sheltered da les each with its own character . There is v is ib le evidence of

histor ic land use from al l per iods . The vernacular character is of gr itstone and

l imestone bui ld ings inc luding scattered farmsteads and smal l nuc lear vi l lages on

val ley f loors , which related to r iver cross ing points and transpo rt routes . There

is very l imited tree cover and where trees do exist they are within vi l lages around

farmsteads and stream s ides 6.

2 .3 : The appl icat ion s ite l ies within the Upper Wharfedale and Littondale landscape

character area. The key character ist ics of t his area are of steep and banded

pattern of rock outcrops which dominate the upper s lopes of the dales and a

largely open f lat va l ley f loor where the River Wharfe f lows through. Tradit iona l

gr itstone v i l lages appear in harmony with the landscape, making th em sens it ive to

5 Landscape Character Assessment 2002

6 Yorkshire Dales National Park Landscape Character Assessment – Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority



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occas ional inappropriate development 7. The proposals l ie beyond the tree cover

which is ev ident at the Long Ashes caravan/ le isure park on the s lope leading to

Threshf ie ld Quarry.

Pho tog raph : Ex i s t ing te leg raph mas ts a t t he q uar ry a t Th res h f ie ld to t he wes t o f t he app l i ca t io n

s i te

7 Upper Wharfedale and Littondale – Landscape character key characteristics – Landscape Character Assessment - Yorkshire Dales

National Park Authority



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3 . THE PROPOSALS

3.1: Boundless Networks provide broadband networks for both res ident ia l and

bus iness customers . I t provides bus iness-grade connect iv ity services us ing unique

Fibre to the Mast (FTTM) technology . Essent ia l ly , Boundless Networks is a

‘nat ional pr ivate network which is bu i lt to del iver h igh qual ity internet access

where others fa i l ’ . The del ivery of superfast or ultra - fast internet access can be

ach ieved in even the most remote rura l locat ions us ing underground f ibre opt ic

cab le and over the a ir cutt ing edge microware technology .

Pho tog raph : The mas t look i ng towards t he ca ra van / le i su re park .

3 .2 : From a des ign perspect ive , Boundless Networks always seeks to ensure that their

technology can del iver the necessary connect iv ity services which organisat ions

and res idents now require in the least intrus ive way which respects the context

and character of the landscape in many more remote areas .

3 .3 : In the context of the three appl icat ions (at Throst les Nest , Long Ashes and

Fleets) which have been submitted for retrospect ive planning permiss ion to be



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granted , the low key, telegraph pole mounted equipment which is used provides

two vita l funct ions . F irs t ly , for loca l broadband coverage in the rura l areas of the

YDNP and secondly , as an ‘anchor ’ l ink in a chain of connect ive ly running north

to service high into Upper Wharfedale .

3 .4 : Boundless Networks plan to provide homes and bus iness es with in the loca l area

whose internet access ranges from virtua l ly ni l , to some propert ies where BT

have suppl ied average speed services . The locat ion of the masts introduces

Ultra fast (100Mbps+) connect iv ity , creat ing coverage for propert ies without

proper broadband as wel l as competit ion with much greater speeds than

current ly avai lable from BT. In addit ion, the masts provide h igh speed backhaul

connect iv ity up through Upper Wharfedale to Conistone with Ki lnsey , a l l

L ittondale, Kett lewel l , Starbotton, Buckden and beyond up a s far as

Yockenthwaite .

3 .5 : Figure 1 below shows Long Ashes in the middle of the cha in of dependent s ites .

The pr imary supply enters Long Ashes from Grass ington Medica l Centre. Long

Ashes is a key s ite to enable the supply to extend northwards into the YDNP t o

provide broadband service to those area which have ni l service at present whi lst

a lso a l lowing compet it ion where l imited serv ices may already exist .

F i gu re 1 : D iag ram shows t he cha in o f dependen t s i te s and how they connec t to p rov i de the bes t

connec t i ve l y to t he nea rby r u ra l communi t ie s .

3 .6 : Figure 2 over leaf h igh l ights the posit ion of the mast at Long Ashes (with a purple

star) and how it connects into the mast at Throst les Nest and then into

Grass ington Medica l Centre.



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F i gu re 2 : D iag ram wh ich shows how the Long Ashes mas t connec ts to t he Thros t le s Nes t mas t to

the no r t h and to t he south f eeds i n to Gras s i ng ton .

3 .7 : This proposal at Long Ashes seeks to retain the exist ing t imber 10m pole at the

appl icat ion s ite with two Ubiquit i AirF iber 24 anntenna , two Ubiquit i AirFibre

5X antenna, two RF Element Horn antennas and a Ceragon FibreAir 1P-20E with

60cm Commscope antenna . The data sheets of these dishes/antennae are

submitted in the associated drawing package . The antennae wi l l be insta l led at a

height of between 7-10m so they are at the top of the mast in order to ach ieve

maximum coverage . The smal l equipment cabin has already been p laced at the

s ite and is at the bottom of the mast 0.5m above ground level . The two or ig ina l

metal poles with antennas wi l l be removed on a successful outcome of th is

planning appl icat ion .

3.8 : Access to the pole/equipment is provided via an exist ing track from the south

s ide of the caravan park.

3 .9 : The proposals conform to the Internat ional Commiss ion on Non -Ioniz ing

Radiat ion Protect ion Publ ic Exposure Guidel ines . A copy of the ICNIRP

declarat ion is attached at Appendix A at the end of this report .



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4 . RELEVANT LOCAL PLAN POLIC IES – THE

YORKSHIRE DALES LOCAL PLAN

4.1: Pol icy C11 of the Yorkshire Dales Local Plan which was adopted in December

2016 seeks to ensure that :

‘Proposals for new or improved in frastructure providing essent ia l services

and fac i l i t ies wi l l be permitted where their s it ing and appearance :

a) minimises the impact on visual amenity, including the character and

appearance of the loca l i ty and wider landscape character ; and

b) wil l not result in unacceptab le impacts upon features of ecologica l ,

archaeological , arch itectura l or histor ic interests ’ .

4 .2 : Appl icants should demonstrate that the proposal represents the least

env ironmental ly harmful deployment opt ion avai lable hav ing regard to the

operat iona l requirements and technica l l imitat ions that are appl icab le.

4 .3 : Pol icy just i f icat ion argues that infrastru cture provis ion is the key to del iver ing

sustainable development, including economic growth and meeting the

development needs of the National Park . As such, the author ity argues that i t

wi l l support new infrastructure that addresses current short fa l ls or e nhances

provis ion, sub ject to it s associated impacts being acceptable (paragraph 4.74 of

the Yorkshire Dales Loca l Plan) .

4 .4 : This appl icat ion seeks to provide much needed infrastructure provis ion to accord

with the above pol icy and to he lp overcome the def i c ienc ies which ex ist in

service provis ion in the Park. Indeed, i t is agreed that the remoteness and terra in

of the Nat ional Park imposes l imitat ions and costs on infrastructure but this

appl icat ion seeks to real ise s igni f icant improvement for local communi t ies and

bus iness without undue detr iment to the conservat ion of the landscape. I t is

cons idered that the proposals conform object ives of the Management Plan f or

the YDNP as they wi l l provide an underpin to a f lour ish ing local economy which

in turn provides an ‘outstanding range of benef its for the nat ion as a whole based

on its natural resources , landscape and cultural her itage ’ .

4 .5 : Pol icy SP4 of the YDNP aims to ensure the des ign of new development is h igh

qual ity and to avo id harmful impacts and danger . The des ign of the t imber mast

is s imple and low key which responds posit ive ly to the s ite , i ts surrounding

context and landscape s it ing. The proposal and its des i gn ensures a development

that is env ironmenta l ly susta inab le whi lst a lso not giv ing r is k to unacceptable,

adverse impacts in terms of important publ ic views .



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5 . NATIONAL PARK MANAGEMENT PLAN

5.1: The Yorkshire Dales Nat ional Park Management Plan 2013-18 has a def ined key

object ive to improve broadband and mobi le te lecommunicat ions services .

Essent ia l ly , i t is recognised that such services are a pre -requis ite for modern

l i festy les and more important ly to attract the sort of bus iness with the scope for

sustainable growth in the Park .

5 .2 : Object ive E2 seeks to provide access to high qual ity (>10 mbps) broadband

across the whole of the National Park by 2019, and further increase access to

superfast broadband. I t is cons idered that this scheme complete ly meets this

object ive in the least unobtrus ive way.



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6 . NATIONAL PLANNING POLICY GUIDANCE

(NPPF)

6.1: The NPPF advises that the purpose of the planning system is to contr ibute to

the ach ievement of sustainable development, which it states has three

dimens ions : economic , socia l and environmenta l . Local p lanning author it ies

should work proact ive ly with the appl icant to secure developments that improve

the economic, soc ia l and environmental condit ions of the area.

6 .2 : In l ine with the above statements on the development and del ivery of sustainab le

development , the NPPF cons iders that the development of high speed broadband

technology and other communicat ions networks plays a vita l ro le in enhancing

the provis ion of loca l community faci l i t ies and services .

6 .3 : In Sect ion 5 it states that advanced, high qual ity communicat ions in frastructure

is essent ia l for sustainable economic development. The number of masts and

s ites for such insta l lat ions should however be kept to a minimum, cons istent with

the eff ic ient operat ion of the network , and that exist ing masts , bui ld ings or other

structures should be used unless the need for a new s ite has been jus t i f ied. When

new s ites are just i f ied, equipment should be sympathet ical ly des igned and

camouflaged where appropriate .

6 .4 : Protect ing and enhancing va lued landscapes and susta in ing and enhancing the

s ign i f icant her itage assets are also key cons iderat ions . I t is noted that the

appl icat ion s ite wi l l not create harm to her itage assets . Indeed, the nearest l is ted

structure is over one k i lometre away at Skir fare Br idge .

6.5 : Sect ion 11 of the NPPF at paragraph 109 seeks to ensure that the natura l

env ironment which includes valued landscapes is conserved and enha nced.

Paragraph 115 advises that great weight should be given to conserv ing landscape

and scenic beauty in Nat ional Pa rks which have the highes t status of protect ion

in relat ion to landscape and scenic beauty .



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7 . LANDSCAPING AND DES IGN MATTERS

7.1: Ear l ier in this document, i t has been i dent i f ied that the appl icat ion l ies within the

Upper Wharfedale and Littondale landscape character area. As the pole current ly

exists at the appl icat ion s ite , the impacts on the landscape are bas ica l ly a lready

known.

7 .2 : I t is cons idered that due to the low impact nature of the proposa l – i .e . the

provis ion of a wooden pole of a maximum height of 10 metres , with antennae

which have min imal prof i le - the impacts on the landscape wi l l be as minimal as

can be whi lst st i l l providing the needed infrastructure to del iver the connect iv ity

in this more remote locat ion.

7 .3 : Indeed, the provis ion of an over the air ‘cutt ing edge ’ microwave technology

(FFTM) enables the least impact poss ib le on the environment because of i ts

del ivery through innovat ive technology. This ensures that the economic , soc ia l

and environmenta l strand of sustainable development are al l appropr iate ly met

and that the planning balance of the del ivery of s ign i f icant soc ia l and economic

benef its is not at the expense of the landscape and environmental qual i t ies of

the National Park .



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8 . SUMMARY

8.1: The appl icat ion s ite has been ident i f ied and chosen having regard to technica l ,

env ironmental and s ite ava i lab i l i ty cons iderat ions . Both local and nat iona l pol icy ,

inc lud ing landscape character assessments were cons idered in the s it ing of al l the

proposed telecommunicat ions equipment .

8 .2 : The proposal represents the most sens it ive locat ion for the s it ing of this mast

hav ing regard to planning balance , which seeks to promote the substant ia l

economic and social benef its whi lst ensur ing that the proposal p laces weight on

conserv ing landscape and scenic beauty in the National Park.



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APPENDIX A

Boundless Networks Limited

Head Office

Hangar 1, Southside Aviation Centre

Leeds Bradford International Airport

West Yorkshire, LS19 7UG Call 0113 894 1951

Network Operations Centre Building N1

Chorley Business and Technology Centre

East Terrace, Chorley, Lancashire, PR7 6TE

Call 01257 752555

Visit www.boundlessnetworks.co.uk / Email [email protected]

Registered Office: Hangar 1, Southside Aviation Centre, Leeds Bradford International Airport, West Yorkshire, LS19 7UG. Boundless Networks Limited registered in England no.

05801757. Members of RIPE NCC, ISPA, INCA, CICAS and WISPA.

Declaration of Conformity with ICNIRP Public Exposure Guidelines

(“ICNIRP Declaration”)

Boundless Networks Ltd.

Hangar 1

Southside Aviation Centre


West Yorkshire, LS19 7UG

Certifies that the equipment and installation proposed by Boundless Networks as detailed in the

attached drawing at:

Long Ashes

Threshfield

Grassington

North Yorkshire

BD23 5PN

Nominal ID: Grassington/LongAshes/0717 Candidate ID: Grassington/LongAshes/0717

Is designed to be in full compliance with the requirements of the radio frequency (RF) public

exposure guidelines of the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRO),

as expressed in the EU Council recommendation of 12 July 1999* “on the limit of exposure of the

general public to electromagnetic fields (0Hz to 300 GHz)”.

*Reference: 1999/519/EC

Date: 20/07/2017 Signed By: Michael Holden

Name: Michael Holden Position: Technical Planning Manager

Boundless Networks Limited

Head Office



West Yorkshire, LS19 7UG Call 0113 894 1951

Network Operations Centre Building N1

Chorley Business and Technology Centre

East Terrace, Chorley, Lancashire, PR7 6TE

Call 01257 752555

Visit www.boundlessnetworks.co.uk / Email [email protected]

Registered Office: Hangar 1, Southside Aviation Centre, Leeds Bradford International Airport, West Yorkshire, LS19 7UG. Boundless Networks Limited registered in England no.

05801757. Members of RIPE NCC, ISPA, INCA, CICAS and WISPA.

Dear Sir / Madam,

Re: Declaration of ICNIRP compliance -

I refer to the Declaration of Conformity with ICNIRP Public Exposure Guidelines (“ICNIRP

declaration”) forwarded to you on behalf of Boundless Networks in relation to the proposed

telecommunications facility at the above-mentioned address.

Boundless Networks provides the “ICNIRP Declaration” pursuant to Government recommendations

(NRPB ref. B2170). Please note that the “ICNIRP Declaration” attests that the site is designed to be in

full compliance with the requirements of the radio frequency (RF) guidelines of the International

Commission for Non-Ionising Radiation protection (ICNIRP) for public exposure as expressed in EU

Council recommendation of July 1999.

The ICNIRP certificate produced by Boundless Networks takes into account the proposed radio

frequency exposure for the Boundless Networks shared telecommunications facility when operated

at maximum capacity supporting multiple operators.

The radio emission compliance calculation is based upon ‘worst case’ cumulative values as

established by the inter-operator methodology outlined in documents FEI/MTAC/RFCG/28/2000 and

49/2001.

If you have any further enquiries concerning the ICNIRP certificate or the Certification process please

do not hesitate to contact me at the address below.

Yours faithfully,

Michael Holden

Technical Planning Manager

Boundless Networks Ltd



West Yorkshire, LS19 7UG

Long Ashes

Di sc l a imer : The i n fo rma t ion , ana l y s i s and recommenda t ion s w i th i n th i s document a re made by Ru ra l

So l u t i on s L im i ted i n good f a i t h and rep resen t ou r p ro fe s s i ona l j udgement on the ba s i s o f the i n fo rma t ion

obta i ned f rom other s . No s ta tement made w i th i n th i s document may be deemed i n any c i r cums tance to

be a rep resen ta t i on , under ta k i ng or wa r ran ty and we c anno t a ccept any l i ab i l i t y shou l d you re l y on such

s t a tement s or such s t a tement s p rove to be i na ccu ra te . I n p a r t i cu l a r th e a ch i evement o f pa r t i cu l a r goa l s

depends on pa r t i e s and f a c to r s ou t s i d e ou r con t ro l . Any i l l u s t r a t i on s and otherw i se i n t h i s repo r t a r e

on l y i n tended to i l l u s t r a t e pa r t i cu l a r po i n t s o f a rgument .

Th i s documen t and i t s con ten t s a re con f i den t i a l and w i l l rema in con f i den t i a l un t i l we wa i ve con f i den t i a l i t y

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pacsplanning.yorkshiredales.org.ukpacsplanning.yorkshiredales.org.uk/Threshfield C71/315/C_71_315_APP... · ubiquiti airfibre 5x antennas, 2 rf element horn antennas and a ceragon