ANOTHER 5G mobile phone mast could pop up in the borough – this time next to a petrol station in Horwich.

A planning application has been submitted to erect a new 20 metre high replacement mobile phone mast in Chorley New Road near a Texaco garage.

This comes after applications for new telecommunication monopoles have been submitted for sites in Great Lever and Daubhill.

There is currently a phone mast at the same location however the proposed replacement is part of an upgrade to 5G.

When the existing phone mast was erected in 2019, it drew criticism from neighbouring residents because of its position immediately in front of residential properties, according to Cllr Richard Silvester.

The Horwich North East Ward councillor, who represents the area in which the application site is located, has objected to the plans.

He said: “The present phone mast is visually intrusive for local residents and if the proposed replacement were to be erected, with even more equipment on the new one, it would be even worse.

“I believe these things need to be located away from residential properties, instead of being sited right in front of them.

“There needs to be much more thinking about these issues because mobile phone companies seem to have a carte blanche right to put them wherever they want to.”

The application, which aims to provide improved telecommunications services within the area, has been submitted on behalf of EE and Three.

The proposals would also involve a number of equipment cabinets being located on a green area of adjacent land.

Cllr. Silvester added: “When the present phone mast was installed, a number of people contacted me who were appalled because of its height, as the mast towers well above the street lights.

“The equipment cabinets which are proposed also contribute to street clutter so I have objected.

“I just think the company should look for an alternative location and they don’t seem to have provided any evidence to the planning department that this was done.”

Plans were submitted this week by Hutchinson 3G UK Ltd, more commonly known as Three, to build a mast next to ASDA in Deane Church Lane, Daubhill.

The company also applied to erect a 20-metre telecommunications monopole on a grassy piece of land in Green Lane, known locally as “bus island”.

The application for the siting of a 20-metre monopole in Chorley New Road is due to be decided by planning officers by mid-May.