Plans to upgrade hilltop phone mast approved

Plans to upgrade a hilltop mobile phone mast have been approved.

Vodafone had described its proposed changes to the equipment on the Wrekin, near Telford, as "highly significant" and said they would significantly improve reception in the area.

Telford and Wrekin Council agreed to let it add two dishes and three antennas to the existing structure.

Some extra ground installations such as cabinets and cabling will also be installed.

There has been a mast at the top of the Wrekin since 1975 and the current structure stands at 170ft (52m) high.

A planning statement submitted by site operators Arqiva said adding the new equipment to the existing mast would minimise its visual impact.

No objections were raised by the council's ecology and heritage experts or the Shropshire Hills National Landscape Partnership, and planning officers granted the planning permission.

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

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