Town hall bosses block mega 65ft telecoms mast outside hospital

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Town hall bosses have blocked a proposal to site a 65ft telecoms mast on the pavement outside Trafford General Hospital, opposite a row of shops.

A planning application for the pole, including six antennas, two transmission dishes and cabinets for electronics was submitted by Reading-based mobile infrastructure company Cornerstone.

The equipment would have been installed on the pavement on Moorside Road. But a report by planning officers said the most would ‘appear incongruous’ because its height would be ‘significantly greater’ than any nearby building.

It goes on: “This locality has a strong scene character which would be significantly disrupted and harmed by the visual intrusion of the proposed 20m (65ft) high pole.” The report also stated that the pavement is relatively narrow at the point where the mast would be placed. READ MORE: Boy, 17, arrested for attempted murder after man in his 50s stabbed “Whilst the applicant has submitted a list of alternative sites that have been assessed and discounted, it is considered that it has not demonstrated that there are no alternative options that would have a less detrimental impact on the character and appearance of the area,” it said. “The development would not respect the character and identity of the locality in terms of design, siting, size or scale.” Under planning legislation introduced by the last government local authorities are powerless to prevent mast being put up by telecoms companies if they are no higher than 50ft.