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18
Sept
Revised plans for 5G tower at Harrogate football pitch face backlash
Numerous residents have hit back at plans to install a 25-metre 5G tower at a Harrogate sports pitch.
Mobile network operator EE lodged plans to install the tower at Pannal Ash Junior Football Club on Almsford Close, after a previous scheme to install a higher 30-metre tower was refused.
EE has since lodged an appeal against the rejection and is awaiting a decision.
In the meantime, the operator has submitted a revised plan for the shorter tower, which would provide 3G, 4G and 5G usage, as well as standard voice call services.
It also plans to erect a 2.1-metre palisade fence with double three-metre gates at the site.
The operator wants to install the tower at the football club as its existing rooftop telecommunications site for the area is at Harrogate College, which is due to undergo a £22 million redevelopment.
The refused scheme was met with 96 objections, and the latest proposal has already seen a similar fate after receiving 26 objections in less than two weeks.
Several people raised concerns over the existing community use of the field and its charitable status.
The site is registered as the Almsford Open Space on the Charity Commission, which lists Harrogate Borough Council as the trustee. However, since Harrogate Borough Council was abolished, North Yorkshire Council is now the sole charitable trustee.
Simon Bollon, who also publicly objected to the plans, said:
This is an area held by a trust for the use of the community and should be preserved as a safe space for children. The construction poses harm to the health of all users of the land. Further, it’s close proximity to the school must cause great concern for the health and wellbeing of children.
The revised scheme does not overcome the original objections, Mr Bollon said, adding it also “feels like a cynical attempt to push through the application by making very minor changes”.
One objector, named Katie Burgess, said the tower would cause “significant harm to local residents” and would “tower over properties” should plans be approved.
Dr Anthony O’Connell, who said the mast would be visible from his home, also raised concerns over the impact on both local wildlife and residents’ health.
He said:
It will harm the character of the Crimple Valley Preservation Area and is highly likely to negatively impact local wildlife.
It is not yet understood if the radio waves emitted from such towers cause harm to life, including humans. Without such information, it would be irresponsible to allow for such a tower to be built so close to homes and a local school (Oatlands Junior School), which is very near to the proposed site.
This is charitable land and is for sport for and recreation for Harrogate residents. The land is not designated for such a venture.
Harrogate Town Council
The revised scheme was considered by members of Harrogate Town Council’s planning committee on Wednesday night (September 17).
Harrogate Town Council objected to the previous scheme and, when councillors were asked to share their views on the latest plans, Cllr Andrew Timothy said:
This is the third time we’re seeing this. I don’t think it has changed sufficiently… I think the comments we previously made still stand.
Cllr Elizabeth Jackson also said the revised height “does not negate” the previous objections and felt the designated Special Landscape Area status would be impacted.
She also felt alternative sites have not been explored enough and said the site is “completely inaccessible” to construction vehicles.
Harrogate Town Council objected to the plans.
North Yorkshire Council, acting as the charitable trustee, objected to the plans and said the site is not an appropriate location for the tower.
However, in its capacity as a planning authority, North Yorkshire Council will issue a final verdict on the scheme at a later date.
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