By Don Mort, local democracy reporter
A telecoms firm has been blocked from installing a 20-metre mobile phone mast after safety fears were raised.
Council planners told Mobile Broadband Network Ltd (MBNL) the proposed site on Outgang Lane in Bramley was not suitable.
The equipment would have provided network coverage for mobile operators EE and H3G.
Leeds City Council raised concerns over the appearance of the proposed mast near Hollybush Primary School.
Highways officers said it would narrow parts of the pavement to two metres near bus stops and a zebra crossing.
A council report said: “Footways should be three metres wide in areas of identifiably higher levels of pedestrian activity. Therefore, highway safety concerns are raised.”
Four public objections were received, including from Bramley and Stanningley Labour councillor Kevin Ritchie.
Objection letters said the mast would be “overbearing” and could distract passing traffic.
One said: “The installation would damage trees and no evidence has been supplied to confirm avoidance of this damage.”
Leeds City Council said it considered the importance of maintaining 5G coverage in the area.
But the report said: “Regarding its immediate setting, the installation would appear obtrusive and visually dominant.”
MBNL said the new mast was needed to support the growing use of mobile technology.
It would have replaced an existing mast on top of Raynville Court, a block of flats due to be demolished.
The council refused MBNL’s application for prior approval planning permission.
Full details of the plans can be found here.
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Ah, this is a shame. I live in this area and the signal is patchy in places, so it’d be good to have better coverage. I’m not convinced it’d be that visually imposing either, especially as there are already lampposts of a similar height right next to where it would be. Just putting it behind the bench on the unused grassy area would work fine without taking room off the pavement.
Is it the tree that’s the issue here? The could install it a little further down or replant like 5 extra trees either nearby or in one of the White Rose forest for every one that they cut down to put up the telegraph pole. Net biodiversity gain that way and more nature for locals etc, wouldn’t help if the telecoms companies pay extra section 106 or a higher Community Infrastructure Levy to our City Council, what ye think?
I’m honestly not sure what the issue is – it’s technically the width of the footway, but that’s on the basis of putting the mast on the current footway rather than using some of the grass behind it. I’d agree with your suggestion that like-for-like tree replacement scheme would be ideal, although the people who think that a mast might “distract drivers” probably wouldn’t agree!