PLANS to install a new 25-metre high mast at a farm site to enable connectivity for residents have been refused as it was deemed it would have “a detrimental visual impact”.

Icon Tower Infrastructure have drawn up proposals seeking permission for the telecommunications apparatus at The Old Barn, at Blackley Hurst Farm, on Newton Road, Billinge.

The application sought prior approval for the installation of the lattice mast, as well as a base station, a 2.4m high palisade fencing, six operator cabinets, one electrical metre cabinet, two dishes, six antennas and ancillary development. 

Icon Tower is a UK based company, who provide independent wireless infrastructure sites and equipment.

The applications claimed that there are very special circumstances which would justify the creation of the mass on the green belt and that it would "improve 4G and 5G coverage".

It stated: "Due to the inherent limitations with current technologies not being able to provide coverage over vast areas of land, it is inevitable that telecommunications mast will need to be sited within the green belt on occasion, such as this case.

"The proposed mast is replacing an existing mast and has been kept to a minimal height to help reduce any impact on the openness of the green belt as much as practically possible, while still being able to be readily shared with multiple operators to future proof the site, and to ensure a large area of the green belt will benefit from the improved 4G and 5G coverage".

The application stated: "Site selection was progressed in accordance with advice in National Policy and the Code of Best Practice and represents the least environmentally intrusive, technically suitable, available option".

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It added: "The operator’s site selection strategy is to keep the overall environmental impact to a minimum where the operator will choose a site with the least impact upon the character of the area utilising an existing site is considered preferable.

"In this instance, this site is considered to have the least impact upon the character of the local area".

The applicant stated that the mast would allow EE, O2, Three and Vodafone to install equipment on the mast ranging from 2G to 5G.

However, planning officer Stephen Gill recommended refusal for the plans, which attracted two representations against the proposals.

Mr Gill noted the application “does have some important inconsistencies”. He said information submitted stated “the existing masts cannot be removed for ‘legal reasons’.

“However, in other sections of the document, it states that the masts will be removed ‘in time’.

“Clarity on this point has been requested, however, no response has been received from the applicant.”

Mr Gill said: “The inconstancy in the application means that the LPA have no alternative but to consider the application on the basis that the existing masts will remain in situ. The potential retention of the existing masts in conjunction with the siting of a new larger mast within close proximity means there appearance altogether will have a cumulative adverse impact on the landscape character of the immediate area and will cause visual clutter to an area that is both rural and open in its setting.”

The planning officer also said “there are several useable Public Rights of Way routes that surround the site in the immediate vicinity, and it is considered that the proposed mast in conjunction with the existing masts would have some visual impact and would give a cluttered appearance to the area for users of these routes”.

It was noted “the development has the potential to facilitate 5G coverage, and this weighs in favour of the proposal”. However, this benefit “is not considered to outweigh the inconsistencies in the application, which would result in cumulative adverse impacts to landscape character and would cause visual clutter to the area”.

Prior approval was refused.