Government rejects plan for 20-metre 5G mast overlooking the Stray

A government inspector has rejected a bid to erect a 20-metre high 5G mast overlooking the Stray in Harrogate.

The inspector acknowledged the mast would boost poor 5G coverage in Harrogate but ruled it would also be “a conspicuous and intrusive feature in the surrounding area”.

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

The now-defunct Harrogate Borough Council rejected the plan because of concerns about its visual impact not only on the Stray but also on Skipton Road and Claro Road in February.

CK Hutchison Networks took the decision to the government’s Planning Inspectorate, which adjudicates on disputes.

It argued the mast would not have a detrimental impact on the street scene and the 20 metre height was the “absolute minimum height which can be deployed to bring the benefits of 5G”.

But in a judgement published yesterday, inspector F Harrison said the mast would be “starkly incongruous” and “an intrusive feature in the surrounding area”.

The inspector added:

“I am not satisfied that alternative sites have been properly explored.”

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Telecommunications firm appeals Harrogate 5G mast refusal

A national telecommunications company has appealed a decision to refuse plans for a new 5G mast in Harrogate.

CK Hutchison Networks (UK) Ltd, which operates Three Mobile, proposed installing the mast on Park Parade.

It submitted the plan to the former Harrogate Borough Council in November 2022.

The developer said the proposal would help to “improved network coverage and capacity” in the area.

However, the council rejected the plan on the grounds it would be detrimental to the visual amenity of the site.

John Worthington, who was chief planner at the council at the time, said in a decision notice:

“The proposed street pole, by virtue of its external appearance, scale and siting, would be a visually incongruous and alienated addition that would be detrimental to the visual amenity and character of the site and conservation area. 

“It would fail to respect local distinctiveness. This harm outweighs the benefits of the proposal in this location.”

CK Hutchison Networks (UK) Ltd has now taken the decision to the government’s Planning Inspectorate, which deals with planning disputes.

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

The move is the second time the company has appealed a decision to refuse a 5G mast in Harrogate.

The borough council also rejected a plan to build a mast at Granby Park, which is adjacent to the Stray by Skipton Road.

An appeal against the refusal was submitted by the company in July this year.

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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.

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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.