Plans for a 15-metre high 5G phone mast in Swinnow have been refused for being too close to nearby houses.
Hutchison UK applied to build the mast, which would have been used to boost the Three network, on Park Spring Rise, just off the A647 Stanningley Bypass.
The applicant said the mast would not have any detrimental visual affect – but Leeds City Council planners disagreed, following five objections. A planning officer’s report said:
“The Local Planning Authority considers that the proposed telecommunications
equipment, by reason of its height and design and proximity to dwellings would
represent an unduly prominent and incongruous feature that would adversely impact
on the visual amenities of the locality and the outlook of occupiers of nearby residential properties in particular.”
Phone masts have permitted development rights, a national rule which allow certain building works and changes of use to be carried out usually without having to make a planning application. Permitted development rights are subject to conditions and limitations to control their local impact and to protect local amenity.