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Skipton Protests 60ft 5G Mast
Hutchison 3G UK's application to build a 5G mast in Skipton has sparked a growing flood of opposition.
04:16 25 May 2021
Plans to build a 5G mast at a main tourist route into Skipton have met strong opposition from residents.
According to the documents submitted by Hutchison 3G UK, the proposal was for an 18m 5G mast with a wraparound cabinet in Gargrave Road, almost directly opposite the war memorial garden at the entrance of Aireville Park.
A petition of residents in the area has been already signed by 120 people while more than 20 people have taken into the council's website to raise their objection. A spokesperson for the residents said: “The pole would be grossly visually intrusive. The site on a public footway is in a residential area adjacent to Aireville Park and war memorial. The park entrance and mini roundabout where it is proposed is a main tourist route into the town, reducing the attraction of the town to our visitors, and it would also detract from the peace and solemnity of the well maintained war memorial.”
The spokesperson added: “It is clear that the siting and the appearance of the proposed pole is not acceptable. The harm to residents in the areas surrounding the installation would be simply unacceptable, damaging the amenity value of homes and causing harm to the character of the area. The pole would not visually integrate with the surrounding street lighting and would appear as a stark and dominant feature being unduly visually prominent in the skyline.
WHP Telecoms, for Hutchinson, said that the firm benefits from permitted development rights for the mast and has submitted the application following discussions with the planning department.
“The location has been identified as being necessary for H3G Ltd business development and meets its specific technical and operational requirements. The identification of this location follows pre- application discussion with your Department and we now make a formal application to you as planning authority.”