25m mast planned to improve mobile and broadband signal around Shropshire villages

The plan, from Atlas Tower Group, has been submitted to Shropshire Council for a site in Kinnerley, between Shrewsbury and Oswestry.

The proposal, for a piece of land near Plasau Oak in the village, would provide a mast that could be used by all four of the major mobile networks - improving coverage for Kinnerley and Knockin Heath.

The application is being backed by Shropshire Council's senior officer in charge of the Connecting Shropshire project, as well as the Kinnerley Parish Council.

The equipment will be inside a 10x6 metre compound, with a 1.8m-high fence.

In a letter responding to the application, Kinnerley Parish Council clerk Ian Cruise-Taylor said: "Kinnerley Parish Council regards the improvement of the mobile signal in the parish to be a key step to the benefit of residents and would therefore be minded to support an initiative for the installation of shared telecommunication infrastructure to improve the signal, subject to the detail within any actual planning application."

Ben Walker, senior programme officer for digital infrastructure at connecting shropshire, has also supported the application.

He said: "As the officer responsible for improving digital infrastructure and connectivity at Shropshire Council, I’m writing to express my support for the proposed telecommunications mast near Kinnerley.

"I believe that the installation of this mast and equipment will improve the mobile phone service in what is currently a poorly served area and will bring significant benefits to both residents and businesses in and around Kinnerley and Knockin Heath.

"The proposed new mast will be shareable by all four Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) thus improving access to broadband and mobile connectivity, which is a strategic objective in the Shropshire Plan, 2022 to 2025.

"Current mobile phone coverage in Kinnerley and Knockin Heath is provided by transmitter sites over 3km away.

"Atlas Tower Group are proposing a new site that is closer to both villages and therefore able to provide better indoor and outdoor mobile phone coverage.

"The new mast will greatly enhance mobile phone coverage and reliability, meaning improved public safety, and better access to emergency services and faster response times.

"Furthermore, enhanced connectivity can support advanced safety features in modern vehicles and smart home devices, contributing to the overall safety and wellbeing of Shropshire residents.

"Having met with Atlas Tower Group, I know that a number of locations were considered and the least favourable sites discounted. The preferred site maximises the mobile phone coverage, while minimising the negative impacts of the new mast."

A decision on the application will be taken at a later date.