Decision on ‘eyesore’ 5G phone mast

ADECISION will be made as to whether an ‘eyesore’ 5G phone mast can be put on top of an underconstruction office building.

Communications giant Vodafone has asked for planning permission for the mast, the top of which would be 14m above the ground, on Goodall Street, Macclesfield.

It would be on top of Anderson House, an office block that is currently being built, but residents in the area have lodged objections.

They say there is already a poorly maintained phone mast nearby and another - that reaches so high into the air - would spoil the area further.

Cheshire East Council is expected to rule on Vodafone’s application at a northern planning committee meeting today.

One objector said: “This mast will be directly in line with the rear of my house and garden, this will ruin any view.

“The one that is there is a blight on the view from my windows and garden and this one will be even larger.

Another said: “The stub tower will be clearly visible from our garden and the windows that are to the rear of our property. It will be an eyesore, especially in an area that is largely residential.”

Residents from a total of six properties have objected and some say that, as the mast will be seen from some distance away, more should have been consulted.

The planning application is for a 5m ‘lattice stub tower’ with three antennas and two 3m transmission dishes.

A report submitted with Vodafone’s application says 5G, and the requisite masts, will bring substantial benefits.

It states: “5G is the new generation of wireless technology and will deliver the reliable and faster networks of the future.

“5G will provide a new level of underlying connectivity to transform services and create new digital ecosystems that will deliver cost and time savings and new amenities to the region’s inhabitants.

“With the ability to connect one million devices per square kilometre, 5G is to offer higher speeds and capacity than anything that has come before.”