Revised plans have emerged for the introduction of a large-sized 5G mast at Fir Park Street in Motherwell.
An almost identical plan for a 45m tower within the grounds of Fir Park Stadium was rejected by the council’s Planning Committee in October 2021.
The previous proposals attracted a total of 58 objections and mainly from local people at neighbouring residential streets.
The only real substantive difference between the new planning application and the previous proposals appears to be that the size of the mast would be slightly smaller at a height of 40m, if approved.
Local councillor Nathan Wilson formally objected to the previous application and he is urging residents who remain against the introduction of a new 5G mast, to the west of the South Stand at Fir Park Stadium, to make their voices heard through the council’s planning process by opposing the revised proposals.
Councillor Wilson told Lanarkshire Live: “Many local people who live at residential areas such as Fir Park Street, Woodlands Road and Manse Road will be understandably concerned and frustrated to learn that a repeat planning application has been submitted for a large 5G mast right on their doorstep.
“It is incredibly disappointing that an almost identical application has been brought forward less than a year after democratically elected councillors on the Planning Committee refused the initial plans.
“The rollout of 5G infrastructure is essential for boosting connectivity and must happen but it is important that the right locations are chosen for the placement of the masts and I remain entirely unconvinced that this is the case with the Fir Park proposal.
“I formally opposed the previous proposals based on the intended location of the infrastructure and the sheer size of the tower compared with other 5G mast plans in North Lanarkshire.
“I will certainly be objecting to the new application on similar grounds and I urge all local residents who have an interest in the application to formally make their views known through the planning applications section of the council’s website.”
The deadline for formally registering comments on the planning application is Tuesday, September 13, and local people can view the proposals by logging onto the North Lanarkshire Council website.