Phone mast approved despite dozens of objections

A phone mast been given the green light to be built in a Shropshire hamlet despite dozens of objections.

The 25-metre tower, proposed by Atlas Tower Group, will be down a narrow track close to Plasau, a hamlet near Kinnerley, eight miles south of Oswestry.

The firm said it would be suitable for sharing by up to four mobile network operators and would be future-proofed for 5G technologies without further development.

A statement from Helen Bolam, from planning agents Beacon Communications Services Ltd, said: “The proposed new cell site has been sited and designed in order to support the existing mobile networks, providing enhanced coverage and capacity in the Kinnerley and Knockin Heath area.

“This area is currently a known semi-blackspot for all mobile network operators and residents have seen a need for significantly improved coverage and capacity for a number of years.”

The proposal received the backing of the Ministry of Defence, Kinnerley Parish Council, and Shropshire Council’s Connecting Shropshire programme.

“I believe that the installation of this mast and equipment will improve the mobile phone service in what is currently a poorly served area and will bring significant benefits to both residents and businesses in and around Kinnerley and Knockin Heath,” said Ben Walker, senior programme officer (digital infrastructure) for Connecting Shropshire.

“The new mast will greatly enhance mobile phone coverage and reliability, meaning improved public safety, and better access to emergency services and faster response times.

“Furthermore, enhanced connectivity can support advanced safety features in modern vehicles and smart home devices, contributing to the overall safety and wellbeing of Shropshire residents.”

However, heritage officers said that the mast “would have a harmful effect upon the setting of the listed buildings” in the area due to its height and having a significant compound at the base.

And out of 88 comments from members of the public, only five were in support.

“The proposal is an outdated solution to a need being met in a variety of less-intrusive ways, the site choice and scale of the development are totally inappropriate, and this application should fall on its demerits, despite its commercial convenience,” said Dan Widdon.

Anne and John Lyons added: “Whilst we acknowledge there is indeed a need for an improved mobile phone signal in our area, we do feel strongly that the proposed siting of the mast is inappropriate, being much too close to residential properties.”

In reaching its decision, Shropshire Council said: “It is acknowledged that the
community has mixed views on the proposal, however it is not the role of the Local Planning Authority to question the need for the electronic communications system or set health safeguards different from the International Commission guidelines for public exposure.

“On balance, the location of the proposed development is deemed to be the least worst option to provide best and widest coverage in this rural area,
given the limitations of power, topography, landscape impact, available land and flood risk.

“Having received further information on the siting of the scheme in relation to alternative options explored, officers are satisfied the development would not result in sufficiently acute or significant visual harm to be regarded as unacceptable.”