5G Two new masts get go ahead in appeal decisions
TWO new 5G masts can be put up in north Bristol after council refusal was overturned by government inspectors.
Bristol City Council officers rejected plans for the replacement telecommunications equipment in Henleaze and Horfield last summer.
But Mobile Broadband Network Limited appealed both decisions, and planning inspectors agreed last month that both proposals should be allowed.
Permission has been granted for a taller and bulkier mast to replace a 12m telecommunications pole by the Tesco superstore in Henleaze.
Plans to replace old transmission equipment on the roof of the Territorial Army Centre in Horfield have also been approved.
The Henleaze proposal, which includes a 15m mast with six antennae and four cabinets, would sit by the roundabout on Lime Trees Road close to the site of the existing mast.
It attracted 72 objections and nine comments in support when it was first submitted. Concerns about its appearance, location, and potential effect on wildlife and human health were raised, while others welcomed the possibility of faster internet speeds and improved connectivity, according to a planning report.
Officers used their delegated authority to deny prior approval for the Henleaze proposal in August 2020, saying the public benefits of 5G would not outweigh the harm.
“The proposed telecommunications mast would be of a height, design and location which would result in the creation of a prominent, incongruous, visually intrusive and dominant feature that would result in a detrimental impact to the character of the locality and to the amenity of the surrounding area,” they concluded.
But Mr A Tucker from the Planning Inspectorate allowed the appeal, made by Mobile Broadband Network Limited on behalf of H3G UK Limited, and granted approval for the new equipment in Henleaze.
The inspector said the new mast, although bulkier and taller, would “not appear unduly prominent or incongruous” because of the shrubs, trees, lamposts and floodlights already in the vicinity.
It would not harm the views of the nearest residents nor the ecological value of the roadside verge, he added.
Inspector Mr A Spencer-Peet overturned the council’s rejection of the plans in Horfield.
The telecommunications equipment on the roof of the Territorial Army Centre between Dorian Road and Bishopthorpe Road can now be replaced with new infrastructure, including six antennae as high as 17.7m above ground level, two transmission dishes, four cabinets, and a 1.4m balustrade.
Currently two flagpoles 5m and 7m high and two cabinets sit on the flat roof of the three-storey art deco building overlooking Bishopthorpe Park and Horfield Common.
No councillors or members of the public commented on the application, but an officer refused planning permission last July.
The officer’s report concluded:
“The proposed siting and scale ... would undermine the character and setting of the Territorial Army Centre building and be visually intrusive upon the Common.
“The proposed development is considered to be unacceptable in terms of the adverse impact on the character and appearance of the surrounding area.”
But Mr Spencer-Peet wrote in his appeal decision that: “The significant and substantial benefits would outweigh the limited harm to the character and appearance of the surrounding area and the host building.
“The proposal would contribute to delivering high quality, advanced communications infrastructure that would improve reliability and would support customers including the emergency services.
“In addition, it is apparent that the proposal would provide significant economic and social benefits in terms of improving connectivity and communications, for both businesses and individuals.”
Both planning inspectors noted in their decisions that concerns were raised about potential effects on health and wellbeing from 5G radiation.