Three 15 metre broadband masts refused by Bolton Council

IX Wireless Limited, based in Preston, applied to Bolton Council to put up three 15 metre 'street poles' that would support "fibre cables and radio antennae and a street cabinet for the housing of electronic communications apparatus".

These were set to be in three different areas of the town. One was planned for Beverley Road, Heaton, one for Baythorpe Street off Blackburn Road, and another opposite the Royal British Legion in Belmont Road, Astley Bridge.

IX say the "antennae are small is size and will be used to support the installation of high speed wireless broadband internet".

The developers say they first approached the council in May 2018 about the rollout of their wireless network across the borough. Previous applications made by the company have been approved in recent years.

IX said in the application "It is considered that any impact in terms of ‘siting’ and ‘appearance’ by the introduction of the antennae will be imperceptible, and that the lasting power of attorney (LPA) would only be justified in refusing consent in the most exceptional of circumstances.

It was requested that "consent was provided at the earliest opportunity", but these three applications have been refused by Bolton Council.

This is due to their placement within residential settings and therefore would not fit in with the surrounding area.

A decision notice from the council refusing all three applications stated: "The proposed 15m mast structure supporting antennae and fibre cable together with associated radio housing cabinets would appear as a wholly incongruous and dominant feature that would be harmful to the residential setting and would appear as out of scale with its surroundings."

A 'Prior Approval' application was made for all three of these sites, an application which can be granted permission by national legislation without the need to submit a planning application.

The applicants can appeal the decision.