Telford mobile phone mast to get 4G upgrade

Members of Telford & Wrekin Council's planning committee approved proposals to replace the mast in Dawley Green Way, Dawley Bank. The phone mast would be used by Vodafone and O2 network providers.

It comes after a decision on the plans was deferred at a meeting in October after concerns over the protected status of the land.

Though a mast of the same height (17.5m), but with 10cm less width, already stands on the park since it was approved in 2006, the park was given Queen Elizabeth II Parks in Trust status.

Councillors previously deferred the decision on the mast until it could be discovered whether this would have any legal standing over the positioning of the mast.

It has now been confirmed that the mast is outside of the boundary of the designated Fields in Trust and there was no legal designation preventing the development of the site, according to a report to the planning committee.

Speaking against the proposals at a meeting this week, Councillor Shaun Davies, representing Malinslee & Dawley Bank, said there were concerns the mast was situated near two schools.

He added: "There was a huge amount of opposition to this locally last time. This wasn't the first preference of the phone company."

He said promises had been made at the time that there would not be any upgrading of the mast.

But Councillor Nicola Lowery said it was a modest proposal. She said: "We need to be providing better 4G coverage and I think this would be the best option to support it in this area."

Councillor Nigel Dugmore added: "We need to embrace new technology. Thisparticular mast is only four inches taller.

"Unless anyone has x-ray vision, they are really not going to notice any difference at all."

A report put before the committee at the meeting said: "The existing structure, to be removed, has three antennas fitted to the top half of the structure and it is proposed to replace these with six new antennas enclosed within a shroud and these new antennas will have dual user capabilities which will allow for use by both Vodafone and O2 network providers."

"The proposed upgrading of the base stations is required to retain the continued need for both coverage and capacity of the existing networks and will cater for future 4G coverage demands within the area."