Plans for a 59ft 5G mast just 15 yards from a war memorial has been blocked. As previously reported in the Manchester Evening News, the proposal triggered 79 objections from locals in Whitefield, Bury, and united Labour and Tory councillors in opposing it.
The structure would have been on a wedge of grass next to a cenotaph commemorating 175 men who died in the First World War and 80 who were killed in the Second World War. The location at the junction of Higher Lane and Church Lane is in a conservation area and clsoe to All Saints Church - a Grade I listed building.
The mast was proposed by CK Hutchison Networks Ltd, owner of phone service provider Three. In a letter they had asked whether prior approval was needed to install it at the busy junction. Additional equipment cabinets would also have been installed.
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The application said the mast was intended to extend 5G service across the target "coverage hole" in the area and said the cosntruction would "assimilate well into the immediate street". But Labour councillor, Liz Fitzgerald, Tory councillors, Russell Bernstein and Nick Jones, and Labour Party Bury South MP, Christian Wakeford, jointly submitted a letter of objection to the council about the plan.
Now the council has refused permission for the mast. In its decsion, it says the devlopment "would by reason of its size, position and design, be a prominent and intrusive feature in the street scene and would add to clutter within the street scene. Therefore the proposal would be seriously detrimental to the visual amenities of the area."
It adds that the mast and cabinets represent an "unacceptable impact on the All Saints Conservation Area" and would "neither preserve or enhance the traditional character or appearance of the conservation area." Also by virtue of its size and design it would "have a severely detrimental impact on the setting of the Grade II listed war memorial and the Grade I listed Church of All Saints."
It concludes: "The application and submitted palns contain insufficient information to properly assess the impact of the proposed installation on the adjacent trees and does not provide adequate accommodation works around the perimeter of the whole installation to ensure the verge can continue to be properly maintained."
Councillor Fitzgerald said: "I'm delighted. This shows what can be done when everyone comes together. Everyone has contributed and it has been a real local success.
"The company has now had three applications for such masts blocked - this one, and others near the Goat's Gate pub, and outside 177 Bury New Road - which is a dwelling near The New Grove pub. We want to work with the company to find somewhere which is acceptable for the mast instead of them just submitting a series of applications."
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Councillor Bernstein said: "I am absolutely delighted that the 5G mast application has been refused and I am grateful for the significant commuinity response that was received on this important matter. It's the right result for the community and shows what we can all do when we work together.
"I am confident that all councillors regardless of our political affiliations will continue to put our residents first in such matters in the future."
Three has the right to appeal the decision. In a statement, the company said: "Access to 5G has a vital role to play in boosting local economies, helping residents and businesses get faster and more reliable network coverage. This is why we are working with the local council in Bury to roll out the UK's fastest 5G network so that we can keep everyone connected both now and in the future."
Earlier this week the company insisted in a statement: "We have carefully considered vehicle, cycle, and pedestrian safety in our application."
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