Bramley residents have raised concerns over controversial plans for a 30 metre-high mobile phone mast near Bramley Fall Woods.
Applicant Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure wants to build the 5G mast, along with six antennas, dishes and equipment cabinets at the Airedale Cliff grassed area next to Pollard Lane.
Bramley resident Caroline Clarke is objecting to the proposals. She said the mast would be made out of metal mesh which would detract from the natural environment and be overbearing and out of keeping with the area.
“We know there is a need for mobile phone masts and we are not NIMBYs [not in my back yard]” she told WLD.
“Bramley Fall Park is enjoyed by thousands of people each year and this is not the right location for a 30-metre phone mast.”
The three Bramley & Stanningley councillors Tom Hinchcliffe, Adele Rae and Kevin Ritchie (all Lab) have also voiced concerns.
Cllr Ritchie said there were ‘better locations’ to site the mast and added: “We will be opposing it.”
Councillors’ concerns included the I’m pact of residential amenity, its visual impact and that the mast would be overbearing and incongruous.
An existing Vodafone site on Pollard Lane provides local mobile coverage and capacity to the area. Applicant Cornerstone says there is now a requirement to upgrade this cell to provide the latest 4G and new 5G technologies.
In a letter to councillors it said: “However, the existing site is not upgradable, and a new site is required.”
Newlay and Whitecotes Residents’ Association (NAWRA) have organised a meeting to discuss the proposals on Wednesday, 19 March at 7pm at the Rock Pub, Leeds and Bradford Road. The meeting will also serve as NAWRA’s AGM.
The plans can be viewed in full and commented upon here.
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Just build it. We need infrastructure. It’s not like it’s going to spoil some pristine landscape – there’s already a massive electricity pylon right there in the same spot.
Simple solution make it a condition of the planning consent for the metal mast to be galvanized or painted to match the colour of the nearby trees so it blends in a bit.