Acquisition
PHA has 9 acquisition consultants at their Hertfordshire Head Office or at outlying offices across England.
PHA have acquired well over 1000 sites over the past 14 years for our two main clients.
PHA’s personal approach to acquisition means that they have secured strong relationships with their main clients and have been one of the most consistently high performing consultancies over the past 14 years.
PHA has experience with Greenfield and rooftop macrocells, building based microcells, standalone streetworks and (as part of agreements which PHA negotiated) swap out streetworks microcells.
1. Site Search
With confirmation of the cell nominal location and requirements from the radio network planner, the consultant visits the area to select the most appropriate acquirable sites. It is often useful for the radio network planner to be present at this initial site search as it can speed up the process if both parties can agree on the priority order of the various possible options.
2. Search Report Submission
Once the options have been identified, a detailed report is produced by the consultant for the network radio engineer and acquisition department which includes:-
- the preferred site address and site owner details (along with 2 or 3 alternative options, if available)
- Grid Reference co-ordinates
- proposed equipment types/heights
- panoramic photographs from the site or nearest access point
- public consultation plan
- 10 Commitments Traffic Light Rating Form
- Health and Safety assessment
3. Heads of Terms (HOT) Negotiation
As part of the initial process Heads of Terms need to be agreed with the site owner. PHA has an experienced team of consultants who negotiate terms skilfully ensuring that its clients requirements are agreed at this early stage with the site owner.
4. Structural Design
PHA’s acquisition consultant attends site surveys with its designers to ensure that all sites are customised to the individual requirements of its Clients operator. Our designers are involved early to ensure that the selection process includes structural suitability assessments, buildability assessments, siting design, safety and all operational maintenance issues. We help ensure that the best available design is chosen for a particular site. Our knowledge of Local Planning Authorities (LPA) can also help to ensure that a site is given the best chance of gaining a planning permission.
5. Public Consultation
The Mobile Telecoms Industry’s Traffic Light Rating model is used to give an overall rating for each proposed site. The Model combines elements of subjectivity and objectivity and is intended as a guide to the degree of consultation necessary. LPA input is sought and the rating for each site is to be reviewed at least once – in particular after pre-application consultation.
Once the consultation strategy has been agreed with the LPA and PHA’s Client, a consultation plan is produced which details all parties that will be consulted about the proposal. Consultation can take many forms depending on the nature of the site and its Traffic Light Rating and can range from letters sent to ward and parish councillors, letters to residential property in close proximity to a proposed site, letters to schools that are close to the site, or voluntary site notices erected on nearby posts to inform members of the community of the proposal and allow all parties an opportunity to comment prior to the submission of a formal application.
6. Planning Submission
PHA produces all of its planning applications in accordance with the requirements of the Client operators and LPA. Special attention is placed on the requirements of the LPA.
7. Instruction of Solicitors
PHA has established key relationships with a number of different solicitors firms across the country who deal with the acquisition of masts and associated estates matters in an effective and timely manner.
- PHA Communications Limited
- PO Box 72
- Harpenden
- Herts
- AL5 4UP
- T: 01 582 620 582