Plans for 5G mast in Ayrshire conservation area rejected by council

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Plans to erect a 5G mobile phone mast in an Ayrshire conservation area have been rejected by council chiefs.Mobile phone giants Three wanted to install a 16m high monopole mast with cabinet base in Dreghorn Main Street, next to the village's library.Out of eight local sites considered by Three, it was deemed the only one capable of meeting the 5G coverage requirements for Dreghorn.But North Ayrshire Council refused applicants CK Hutchison Networks (UK) Ltd permission on the grounds that the structure would have adverse visual impacts on the historic surroundings.The site, near to the crossroads with Townfoot, Station Brae and Dundonald Road, sits within the Dreghorn Conservation Area with several listed buildings nearby.Council planners rejected the applicant's claim that trees would provide suitable screening or camouflage, pointing out that the mast would 'tower above them rather than blend in.'A supporting statement issued on CK Hutchison Networks behalf said there was no alternative other than to place the equipment in the Conservation Area, describing Dreghorn as an 'extremely constrained cell search area.'The statement went on: "It is accepted the scheme would qualify as a visual change but any perceived harm would be materially outweighed by the tangible benefits the development would bring in terms of enhanced digital services to residents, businesses and visitors alike."But in refusing the application, North Ayrshire Council considered that the applicants had not given sufficient weight to the statutory requirement to "preserve or enhance" the Dreghorn Conservation Area in arriving at their proposals.The Ayrshire Live app is available to download now.Get all the local news in your area – plus features, football