A PLANNING application for a proposed 16m-tall monopole to be situated in Deganwy has been turned down by the Conwy County Borough Council planning committee.
The 16m-high Phase 8 monopole, with a wraparound cabinet at the base, was proposed by CK Hutchison Networks (UK) Ltd to be situated on Marl Lane.
The development looked to enhance 5G coverage levels and network capacity within the Deganwy area.
At a planning committee meeting on January 12, following a site visit the previous day, members voted unanimously 12-0 in favour of the refusing the application.
Speaking at the meeting, Councillor Mike Priestley of the Marl ward, the area in which the monopole would have been situated, highlighted the amount of concerns from residents about its placement on a pavement and proximity to a busy bus stop.
Cllr Priestley said: “When I first saw it, I was quite shocked, because it looked to me that the size and scale was industrial.
“It would be like putting Nelson’s Column up at the top end of Marl Lane. It would be out of place in an industrial area, never mind a residential setting.”
Comments made by the council’s Highways officer added: “The Highways authority are not supportive of the application as submitted, as the location will reduce the width of the footway, which has only recently been widened by the Highways authority as part of an active travel scheme.
“The footway is part of an active travel route and must be protected and enhanced, not reduced.
“There are other locations available nearby that would be better suited for this apparatus, which would not have the detrimental impact that this location provides.”
Cllr Austin Roberts (Eglwysbach ward), who was on the site visit the previous day, added: “If they placed that pole where they wanted to place it, it would almost be as high as the pillar above Bodysgallen, which looks down on those houses.
“So, it is an unsuitable site for something of this size.”
Speaking after the decision was made to reject the application, Cllr Sue Shotter (Marl ward) expressed her relief that “common sense won”.
Cllr Shotter said: “Upon reading this application, it was obvious that this was an inappropriate location to place such a large object along a public footpath in a residential area.
“This monopole was to be placed next to a bus stop that’s used by the local children to get to school, and across the road from the children’s playing fields and a new housing development, and also the new joint cycle path which has already reduced the width of the existing footpath for pedestrians.
“I approached local residents and objections were put in, as this was obvious the wrong location.
“These antennas should never be placed in residential areas. Luckily, the planning department advised a refusal, and common sense won.”
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