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18

Dec 2023

Last Updated: 15/12/2023
Environment
Environment

Mobile company appeals 4G mast plan in Ripon Cathedral car park

by Calvin Robinson Chief Reporter

| 18 Dec, 2023
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cathedralcarparkmast
A visual of the mast in Ripon Cathedral Car Park.

A telecommunications company has appealed a decision to refuse a new mobile phone network mast in Ripon Cathedral car park.

EE Limited had proposed installing the 15 metre high pole in the car park in order to provide improve 4G coverage to the area.

The new mast would have been located in the north east corner of the car park on St Marygate next to a maintenance building.

However, North Yorkshire Council rejected the plan on the grounds that the mast would be “detrimental to the visual amenity and character of the conservation area and harm the setting of the surrounding heritage assets”.

Now, EE Limited has taken the decision to the government’s Planning Inspectorate, which deals with planning disputes.

In a statement of case, the company said the mast was required as a replacement for the current infrastructure at Liberty Court House which is being decommissioned.

It added that the mast would not be visible from any of the heritage sites in Ripon.

It said:

“The proposed new mast will not be visible from Ripon Cathedral, nor will it form a meaningful part of views from the cluster of listed buildings to the north and east of the site. 
“In utilising a sympathetic design, with colouring designed to reduce visual impact, the proposed development has sought to mitigate any potential harm where views are possible.”


A government planning inspector will make a decision on the proposal at a later date.




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