Residents have lost a battle to stop a 20-metre high 5G mast being erected in a Salford village after a successful appeal was made by a telecoms company. In June 2021, plans for the Monton Bowling Green site were denied planning approval by Salford City Council.
An appeal from Cornerstone, which manages Vodafone and O2's planning applications, followed. The appeal has been upheld by the planning inspectorate, which said the need for the enhancement of the telecommunications network far outweighed adverse effect on the character and appearance of the area.
The decision to overturn the refusal was deemed 'seriously bad news' by Park Road resident Peter McNamara.
Read more: New ceremonial mayor greeted with rapturous applause as she's sworn in
He said: “This is going to be 20m. It will be the biggest structure in the area.
“Some of the other structures [church towers] are shrouded by trees and greenery, but this one won’t be. It is a complete residential area so it is just not appropriate. I am not convinced there is not a better site for this in the area.
“It might well be that the game is over. If there is anyone left to fight on this, then we will fight them. I believe the planning inspectorate’s decision is final though."
The 65-foot monopole with 12 antennae will be built in the car park of Monton Bowling and Social Club. Bosses say it will improve 5G connectivity in the area. It is replacing a 4G mast, around two thirds of its height, already on the site.
The initial application received hundreds of letters of objection, including one from Salford and Eccles MP Rebecca Long Bailey. Councillors also apposed the plans.
After one reason for refusal - a lack of evidence submitted to discount the availability of alternative locations - was withdrawn by the council, there was only the matter of the effect of the siting and appearance of the development upon the character and appearance of the area to consider. The inspector agreed this would have an adverse effect on the character and appearance of the area.
“Nonetheless, having regard to all relevant considerations, including national planning policy and the lack of available alternative sites, I consider that the operational and locational needs of the operators, the enhancement of the local telecommunications network, along with the sharing capabilities of the structure, therefore minimising proliferation, would outweigh the harm caused to the character and appearance of the area,” the inspectorate report concluded.
A Cornerstone spokeswoman said: "Cornerstone understand that our mobile infrastructure impacts communities. For this reason, we give great consideration to minimising the visual impact of our designs.
"We aim to ensure they blend into the area as much as is possible while enabling quality digital connectivity to the communities we serve. Cornerstone proposed a base station at Monton Bowling Club to provide essential network connectivity and enhanced network capacity in the area.
"Unfortunately the proposed base station was refused by the Local Planning Authority. Following this refusal we reviewed all our options, but concluded that the proposed site remained the best option locally.
"For this reason a planning appeal was progressed and we have now been informed that our planning appeal has been allowed."
