Mobile company submits plan for 5G mast on Otley Road

A telecommunications company has submitted plans for a second 5G mast in Harrogate.

CK Hutchison Networks Ltd, which operates Three Mobile, has tabled the proposal to North Yorkshire Council for land off Otley Road in the town.

It would see the 17m mast built on land near to Swinton Court.

The company said in documents submitted to that authority that the scheme would “assimilate well into the immediate street scene” and would “not be detrimental”.

It added:

“The use of the public highway to accommodate a new telecommunications installation complies with both central government and local planning policy guidance, where the underlying aim is to provide an efficient and competitive telecommunication system for the benefit of the community while minimising visual impact.”

North Yorkshire Council will make a decision on the plan at a later date.

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The move comes as CK Hutchison Networks has also appealed a decision to refuse a plan for a 5G mast at Granby Park in Harrogate.

In February, Harrogate Borough Council rejected the plan over concerns of its visual impact on the parkland.

At the time, the council’s case officer, Emma Howson, said the mast would be “highly visible” from the Stray, as well as on Skipton Road and Claro Road.

Now, CK Hutchison Networks has taken the decision to the government’s Planning Inspectorate, which deals with planning disputes.

In documents submitted to the inspector, it says it does not accept that the mast would have a “detrimental impact on the street scene”.

Mobile company appeals Harrogate 5G mast refusal

A telecommunications company has appealed a decision to refuse plans for a 5G mast overlooking Harrogate’s Stray.

5G is the quickest mobile internet connection available and offers up to 20 times faster speeds than 4G. However, the town is currently poorly served by 5G signal, particularly on its southern side.

CK Hutchison Networks (UK) Ltd, which operates Three Mobile, had planned to build the mast at Granby Park, which is adjacent to the Stray by Skipton Road.

But in February, Harrogate Borough Council rejected the plan over concerns of its visual impact on the parkland.

At the time, the council’s case officer, Emma Howson, said the mast would be “highly visible” from the Stray, as well as on Skipton Road and Claro Road.

Read more:

Now, CK Hutchison Networks has taken the decision to the government’s Planning Inspectorate, which deals with planning disputes.

In documents submitted to the inspector, it says it does not accept that the mast would have a “detrimental impact on the street scene”.

It added:

“In terms of the discreet location and nature of the scheme proposed, it is considered the apparatus will blend into the existing street scene and the overall scheme represents an appropriate balance between visual impact and operational requirements. 

“The mast is, at 20m, at the absolute minimum height which can be deployed to bring the benefits of 5G. 

“We have also coloured the pole and cabinets grey to help assimilation here.”

The company reviewed other nearby locations including County Square, Devonshire Place, Sanders Walk and Westmoreland Street but discounted them due to their pavements being too narrow to accommodate the equipment.

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