Plans for 10-metre 5G mast at Stafford bus stop approved despite concerns

There is currently a 17.5m tall mast at the Cannock Road bus stop, near Wildwood Drive – but now a 19m tall mast is set to be installed in the area after Stafford Borough Council’s planning committee granted permission on Wednesday.

Councillor Ray Barron, who represents the Weeping Cross and Wildwood ward, called the application in for consideration by the planning committee on the grounds of “unsuitable location next to public footpath and bus stop”.

He told Wednesday’s meeting: “This planning application is the fourth in recent years. These masts are getting higher and wider – there has been an increase from 15m to 17m and now it’s higher still at 19m, with more ancillary cabinets round it supporting six antennas.

“It’s right on the grass verge by the bus stop and footpath – surely these masts could be found a more secluded and secure location? I have noticed in other parts of the country these masts are in much better locations than in Stafford Borough. By moving this mast six metres towards the bus shelter it will be much more visible to the neighbours.

“The mast will be nearly 1m in circumference – if any vehicle hit this mast its owners would be seriously injured or there could be a fatality. I’m asking the committee to refuse the application on safety, environmental and visual impact.”

Signal

Committee members voted to approve the application by eight votes to one – but also raised concerns about the increasing height of phone masts in recent years.

Councillor Ann Edgeller said: “I agree they do look awful – but we have got a problem in the area where people are not getting a signal. I live not far from the mast and the signal in the house is absolutely atrocious.

“At the end of the day we need it in the area because people are complaining they are not getting a signal.”

Councillor Marnie Phillips said: “This will be the third siting in the same place and it has jumped from 14.5m to 19m. Is there a point where there becomes a restriction on this height or will they get larger and larger – as years go by we will get the Eiffel Tower?

“Is there anything we can do to put height restrictions in for masts in that particular area? I’m not happy with the height of these masts getting taller and taller.”

But deputy development manager Nicholas Lawrence said: “The 5G carrier requires a taller antenna than 4G, and 19m is the national standard – it’s 19m or above and some are taller, depending on the location.”

Committee chairman Councillor Ray Sutherland said: “There are more and more people working from home and more people using mobile phones rather than landlines.

“This is providing a service that is required and without them we would have mobiles that don’t work.”