Sefton Council has launched an investigation after reports of a huge mast being installed without permission.
The telecommunications mast, which has been erected on land close to Captains Lane in Bootle was installed by IX Wireliess, a telecommunications infrastructure firm.
Sefton Council has confirmed it has issued a planning enforcement notice against the company and launched an investigation amid allegations it has been put up without planning permission after complaints were received from local residents.
The mast may have required an application for prior approval before being installed, but this has not been submitted according to council officers.
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As as a result of the planning enforcement notice, the company now has 21 days to respond to a series of questions put to them by the council seeking clarification about the mast.
The local authority’s cabinet member for planning and building control Cllr Daren Veidman said telecommunications masts are “controversial enough even with when lawful processes are followed.”
Cllr Veidman said “In this case however we are alleging that an operational telecoms mast has been erected without planning permission or prior approval.
“My Cabinet colleague Cllr Hardy has been contacted by a number of residents in the area who quite rightly have serious concerns about this matter.
“We will be doing everything we can to get to the bottom of this issue and will not hesitate to use further enforcement powers should they be deemed necessary following the response to the PCN.
“l’m pleased the PCN has been issued and the matter is being investigated.”
It is not the first time Sefton Council has taken telecoms providers to task over planning issues, with chief planning officer Derek McKenzie previously issuing a plea to operators to work closer with communities and avoid “unintelligble” documents when submitting applications.
IX Wireless was contacted for comment and a spokesperson said the company was “confident” no planning regulations had been breached.
The spokesperson said: “We can confirm we have received a Planning Contravention Notice (PCN) from Sefton Council regarding an installation on Captains Lane.
“The placement of our poles is compliant with structural and industry regulations. All structures are placed at locations which are ideally positioned to give the best service to local residents and businesses.
“We are confident that no planning contravention has taken place and we will respond to the PCN within the stipulated time frame.
“As with all our infrastructure investment across the North West, we continue to actively engage with the local authorities who are aware of the work that is taking place.
“We are building digital infrastructure for the future, replacing old-fashioned copper wire networks with fibre optic cables and wireless technology.
“The latest investment in digital infrastructure will provide the communities in Sefton with much needed gigabit-capable broadband services at a fraction of the cost of other broadband providers.”
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