Mast Sharing Design and Visual Impact

The sharing of masts will be strongly encouraged where it represents the best environmental option in a particular case. Additional equipment should be designed and positioned as sensitively as possible, though technical constraints may limit the possibilities. In some circumstances the shared use of an existing mast might require an increase in the height, and therefore the visibility, of that mast. The Department will therefore seek to ensure that the cumulative visual impact of antennas on masts is kept at an acceptable level. Alternatives to mast sharing will be preferable where additional antennas would lead to undue clutter, detract from the aesthetics of the existing installation, or increase mast height to an unacceptable level.