A company is fighting to install telecoms equipment on the roof of a University of Glasgow site to boost mobile services and “improve wireless” connectivity.
The council has already refused plans for the installation on the James Watt Building, but mobile infrastructure firm Cornerstone are lodging an appeal over the decision, insisting the installation would benefit businesses and the community.
Next week councillors will decide whether to overturn the previous council's refusal and give the telecommunications upgrade the green light during a planning local review committee.
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The six storey building already has two sets of existing antennas and screens on steels frames to hide the equipment from view.
The plan is to install a number of additional antennas, relocate others and extend the screens.
The council has set out reasons for knocking back the plan, pointing out it is not in accordance with the Glasgow City Development Plan.
The council has expressed concern the telecommunications apparatus in the northeast corner would be “highly visible against the skyline from University Avenue.” It said the installation would be “detrimental to the visual amenity of the building, the 'A-group' of buildings of which the site is part and the surrounding area.”
Another refusal reason is that the equipment and screen “for the southeast corner of the listed building’s roof would be would be a badly designed, incongruous addition." The council claimed it “would detract from the visual amenity of the listed building, the 'A group' of buildings of which the site is part and the surrounding area.”
Cornerstone’s appeal argues the proposal will improve wireless connectivity in the area which it says is vital in any area but especially for a university location.
It pointed out the existing infrastructure can’t accommodate the equipment needed to meet the demands of the site.
The firm’s appeal insists the proposal negates the need for a new stand-alone monopole or green field mast in the area which would be “far more detrimentally visually than the proposed roof top upgrade.”
A listed building consent application was refused by the council and Cornerstone lodged an appeal with the Scottish Government over that decision.
The Scottish Ministers’ Reporter accepted an Historic Environment Scotland judgement that that the James Watt (south) building, which is the proposed site, is not listed as it is not part of the listing of the James Watt (north) building.
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