by Don Mort, local democracy reporter
A telecoms firm has appealed against the council’s refusal to allow the installation of a 20-metre mobile phone mast.
Leeds City Council blocked plans to fit the mast on Cardigan Road in Burley after road safety fears were raised.
Cornerstone, which provides mobile equipment for companies including Vodafone, applied to install it near the junction with Harold Terrace.
Council officers said the mast, along with six antenna, would distract motorists on the busy road and refused planning permission.
The company applied to overturn the decision in a formal written representation.
An appeal statement said the mast equipment was needed to maintain 5G mobile coverage in the area.
It said: “Without the proposed development subject of this appeal, customers will not benefit from up-to-date network services and adequate network capacity.”
Cornerstone submitted evidence of future gaps in network coverage if the mast plan was not allowed.
It said: “These show that the limited 5G network coverage is a real problem and provide clear evidence that the appeal proposal will result in significantly improved services.”
The company also said research showed boosting 5G coverage would help people access NHS services.
The statement said: “For instance, trials have shown that connecting ambulance crews to expert resources using 5G allows paramedics to work with doctors and conduct specialist procedures in real time whilst on the road.”
The statement asked that the government’s Planning Inspectorate upholds the appeal after the application was rejected in September last year.
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