PLANNERS have rejected proposals to locate a mobile phone radio base station on a grass verge which operators say is “essential” to provide the latest 3G, 4G and new 5G technologies to the Whittle Hall area of Warrington.
Warrington Borough Council planners say the proposals by CEP Telecoms Ltd act on behalf of the mobile telecommunications operator CK Hutchison Networks (UK) Ltd. would result in significant harm to the visual amenity and compromise the visibility of highway users and pedestrians.
The proposal was to install a radio base station, in order to provide the latest 3G, 4G and new 5G technologies to the Whittle Hall area on a grass verge on Kingsdale Road, involving 18m slim-line phase 9 monopole, supporting 6no antennas 3no cabinets and ancillary development thereto including 1no GPS module.
But planners have confirmed that Warrington Council’s Prior Approval is Required and Refused, for the following reason(s):
1. 1. The proposal, by virtue of its siting, design and appearance, will lead to a visually intrusive, obtrusive and incongruous form of development in this location that will result in significant harm to the visual amenity and character of the area and surrounding street scene. Furthermore, by virtue of its siting and appearance, the proposal will lead to an overbearing form of development and would result in significant harm to the amenities of the adjacent residential occupiers to the site. These concerns are not outweighed by the need for the installation at this specific site, having regard to the potential availability of alternative sites. The proposal is therefore considered to be unacceptable and fails to accord with Adopted Local Plan Core Strategy Policies MP2, MP3, QE6, QE7 and the National Planning Policy Framework.
2. The application is not supported by sufficient information to demonstrate that the proposed telecommunications equipment would not compromise the visibility of highway users and pedestrians by virtue of the erection of a structure in this location. This is contrary to Policies CS1, MP2 and MP3 of Warrington’s Local Plan Core Strategy and the aims and principles of the National Planning Policy Framework
In support of the application, CK Hutchison Networks (UK) Ltd said there was a specific requirement for an installation at the grass verge at Kingsdale Road to ensure that the latest high quality 3G and 4G service provision is provided in this area of the Whittle Hall. The proposed column would also ensure that new 5G coverage can also be provided at this location. This ensures that coverage and capacity requirements are maintained.
As well as improved mobile signal, 5G networks were crucial to drive productivity and growth across the sectors that local areas are focusing on through their emerging Local Industrial Strategies. Enabling and planning for 5G implementation was central to achieving the Government’s objective to deliver prosperity at the local level and enable all places to share in the proceeds of growth.
They said the proposed height of up to 20m was essential in order to ensure the latest 4G and new 5G technologies are provided in the Whittle Hall area. These latest technologies operate at higher frequency bands than
older technologies such as 2G and 3G. The higher the frequency band the greater the radio signal is naturally weakened. This means that the effects of clutter are even more significant than for the provision
of older technologies. As a result, a higher column is normally required to maintain the same coverage footprint. The latest 4G technology and new 5G service provision carry higher capacity and data speeds
to the user, this leads to such antennas having to be positioned at a higher height than more standard antennae and in turn a taller antenna height for 5G service provision.
The antennas are proposed to be open and not shielded as this provides the optimal service provision to the surrounding area. If the antennas were to be shrouded, they would not be as efficient at providing
the latest technologies to this cell area. Thus an additional installation would likely to be required in this cell area which would lead to the proliferation of masts contrary to policy.
The cabinets are designed to appear like other statutory undertakers equipment cabinets. They are small for telecommunications apparatus. The cabinets can be installed under the operators permitted development rights, but have been included on the plans and in the description in order to remain fully transparent.
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You really could not make this up ,, refuse a mast because of loss of visual amenity yet allow a huge logistics depot 50mtrs from houses as that does not affect visual amenity