Council overruled on 5G phone tower construction

The "social and economical benefits" of the phone tower would outweigh any visual flaws, a planning inspector said

The City of Wolverhampton Council has been overruled on a move to stop a 5G tower from being built in front of a planned new housing estate.

The authority refused a plan to install a 20m (65ft) 5G tower in Craddock Street, Whitmore Reans, because it would be "to the detriment" of future residents.

But despite admitting the tower would "harm the character" of the area, a government planning inspector has allowed the work to go ahead.

Its "social and economical benefits" outweighed any visual flaws, the inspector said, adding they disagreed with the council in that the tower was not "unduly incongruous or overbearing" and would not be an "untypical" feature of the street.

The plans by Cornerstone Telecommunications had asked for permission to install the tower and equipment opposite Gill's Bar and Banqueting, the former Pegasus pub, and the old Grasshoppers building which was destroyed by a huge fire in 2021.

The now empty site has appeared in the council's housing plans since the early 90s and was included in various development plans and housing documents without action – and most recently appeared as a potential site for up to 48 new homes.

Rejecting the tower in 2024 the council also stated: "The size and appearance of the monopole and equipment cabinets would create visual clutter and introduce an overly prominent, incongruous and alien feature to the street-scene."

But the planning inspector said alongside their decision, while "the proposed monopole would exceed that of other structures, it would be located along an urban street where other utilitarian structures are visible, and in front of a rather stark and functional palisade fence".

"Due to its conspicuous height and functional appearance the siting and appearance of the proposal would cause harm to the character and appearance of the area.

"However, given the surrounding context of a busy urban street scape and commercial development, the scale of this harm would be limited."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.