City planners reject 'incongruous' 22m phone mast

That mast, shown here in an artist's impression, would have resulted in "significant harm" said council planners

Proposals for what city planners described as a “stark and incongruous” 22m (72ft) phone mast on a major Bradford road have been refused.

Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Ltd applied to Bradford Council to erect a mast with 12 antennas, four dishes and seven cabinets on Toller Lane, near its junction with Fairbank Road.

The structure would have been surrounded by a two metre-high fence and according to the applicants would have "delivered public benefit" with regard to "the mobile services" it would have provided.

But planning officers at the council refused to grant permission for the mast, highlighting the huge amount of equipment that would come with it.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said that the proposed 2m (6ft 6in) fence that would have enclosed the mast was among the reasons it was refused.

Although officers acknowledged that masts of that height were usually acceptable, they added: “This mast has 12 antennae and other equipment attached to it, making it much more apparent in this streetscene.

“Whilst there are lampposts and tall trees in the area, there is a distinct lack of such features or of tall buildings which would reduce the impact of this development.

"The proposed development would result in a stark and incongruous feature into this area which results in significant harm to visual amenity."

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