Case Study

Connecting an island community with a clever broadband solution

17 June 2026

At a glance

Enabling the delivery of ultrafast wireless broadband to a hard-to-reach island community in Cumbria.

Town planning consultancy, strategy, documentation, application management, coordination with the Local Planning Authority.

Secured permissions for the seven interconnected mast sites needed to rollout a line-of-sight wireless network serving 10,000+ residents.

Separated from the mainland by an estuary, getting broadband onto Walney Island had long been a challenge. An innovative solution was needed to bring better connectivity to the community.

Dalcour Maclaren’s role

Managed all aspects of the planning process for seven linked mast applications across Walney Island and the mainland.
Prepared planning statements and supporting documentation outlining the technical need and wider public benefit of the network.
Worked closely with the Local Planning Authority to support a coordinated and efficient determination process across all sites.

Advised on siting and planning considerations to minimise local impact while maintaining network performance.

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THE DM DIFFERENCE

We challenge

For years, residents and businesses on Walney Island had been forced to rely on temperamental dial-up internet. Being separated from the mainland by an estuary meant traditional fibre installation was difficult to deliver. The usual options such as trenching under the water or running cables across the bridge were disruptive, costly and time-consuming.

To overcome this, our client had developed a line-of-sight wireless solution using transmission dishes to connect the mainland and the island. For the system to work, seven masts (2 on the mainland, 5 on the island) needed to operate together as a single coordinated network. So they asked our Land and Planning Team to support them in the planning and delivery.

Seven masts and sites meant seven different planning applications. But we presented a joined-up programme, ensuring the applications were assessed in context rather than in isolation. This gave the Local Planning Authority a clear and consistent understanding of how the wider network would operate. By coordinating submissions in this way, planning approvals were secured efficiently, and the rollout could progress without delay.

We innovate

This was not a standard telecommunications rollout. Each mast location needed to balance technical performance, planning requirements and local surroundings, while maintaining a clear line of sight across the network.

Working from the client’s design, we developed a planning approach that made the wider scheme easy to assess and understand. Where site-specific issues arose, practical adjustments were made to maintain network performance while responding to local constraints.

This coordinated approach helped simplify a technically complex project and supported smooth decision-making across all seven applications.

DM island broadband mast elevation diagram — Diagram to show the mast arrangement for the project

We care

Improving connectivity on Walney Island was already a well-recognised local issue before the project began, with residents and businesses eager for wireless broadband.

Early engagement led by a local MP had already established strong community support for improved digital infrastructure. Building on that momentum, we worked collaboratively with the Local Planning Authority throughout the application process. Ensuring proposals remained proportionate, practical and carefully considered. A key part of this was helping ensure the client’s delivery objectives and local expectations of what was involved were properly aligned.

Despite needing to put in five new telecommunications masts in residential areas, the project progressed without a single public objection. This is a rare outcome for infrastructure projects of this nature – and a clear sign of the solution’s strength in meeting the community’s needs.

Setting the standard for connecting hard to reach communities

By securing approval for all seven sites within two months, we helped enable the rapid rollout of ultrafast broadband across Walney Island.

The project was also recognised in parliament. Cited as a success story for bringing connectivity to hard to reach areas – and the importance of investing in rural digital infrastructure delivery.