Belfast·LDP Plan Strategy 2035 (adopted 2023)·Page 191·9.1.6

Options for Telecommunications Development

Operators should consider six options in order of preference: smaller antennas, disguising equipment, designing as integral features, sharing existing sites, installing on existing structures, or developing new masts only as a last resort.

When investigating proposals for telecommunications development, operators should consider the following options: Installing smaller antennas; Disguising antennas and equipment, for example as part of a building or street furniture; Designing antennas and equipment so that they appear to be an integral part of a building, structure, or landscape; Sharing existing sites, masts and other infrastructure; Installing antennas on a building or structure not already used; and Developing a new mast only when other options are not possible or it represents a better environmental solution than other options.

Source — /Users/richardhill/Documents/planning-arch-project/data/documents/belfast/LDP Plan Strategy 2035 (adopted 2023).pdf