Council rejects new 5G mast near racecourse

The council admitted a new mast was needed

A council has refused plans to install a new 5G mast close to a racecourse.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM) rejected Cornerstone's proposal to use land at Winkfield Road, near Ascot Racecourse.

It argued the 17.5m (57ft) high tower would be overly bulky for the scenery of the area.

The telecoms firm said it was reviewing its options and added it had given "great consideration to the location and design".

It said it had been given a tenancy notice at its current base at St George's Landfill, to allow for redevelopment at the site.

RBWM admitted the new mast was needed "to avoid an urgent situation where there is no coverage for the operator in this busy location".

But it refused the plans on 24 April, with planning officers saying the applicant had not demonstrated that alternative sites had been assessed, and whether the site proposed was the "least harmful option available".

Representatives from Ascot Racecourse objected to the plans.

It wrote to the council stating the tower would have "a considerable detrimental impact".

A spokesperson said the racecourse "contributes significantly" to the town's tourism industry and is a large employer in the area, and takes "considerable care" of the appearance of the site.

Sunninghill and Ascot Parish Council also raised concerns with the plans.

It suggested other sites like Ascot United Football Ground would be more suitable.

A Cornerstone spokesperson said the firm understood its mobile infrastructure "impacts communities and can lead to concern about proposed developments".

"For this reason, we give great consideration to the location and design of our infrastructure," they added.

"Cornerstone are reviewing the options locally to ensure that members of the public, businesses and visitors to Ascot can access the most up-to-date digital services."