Bolton residents 'brassed off' over masts installed

Ian Walker, who lives on Whitecroft Road, says that the mast appeared on Levi Street, not far from where he lives without any warning.

He says that the poles and masts in the area are 'totally' ruining the look of the area.

Ian said: “It’s totally not keeping with the look of the area.

“Me and the rest of the neighbours are not happy with it.

“It’s an eyesore and they didn’t consult anybody -  they have just gone and put them up.

“They wouldn’t like it if it was near their house.

“To just come and do this is wrong.”

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The Bolton News has previously reported on the appearance of 6G poles in parts off the borough, including Markland Hill – not far from Ian.

Another resident Simon Dennis described the new mast along with the ‘6G’ poles installed, as ‘unnecessary’, and says the area has already undergone an upgrade.

He said: “It’s unnecessary and not an area where we need this.

“We already upgraded to fibre optic at the end of last year.”

In October 2021 a previous planning application on the junction of Millstone Road and Levi Street was refused for prior approval of a 15-metre mast structure, supporting antennae and fibre cable, together with associated radio housing cabinets.

The reason stated that this was due to it appearing as a “dominant feature that would appear out of scale with its surroundings”.

Cllr Roger Hayes, who represents Smithills, said: “I think it’s an eyesore and causes problems for either side and is totally unnecessary.

“Residents are very angered about this happening.”

He says that he is currently waiting to see where it stands legally with the council and will continue to pursue it further.

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​The Independent Choice candidate for Heaton, Lostock, Ladybridge and Chew Moor, Gordon Campbell also gathered with residents to show his support, along with residents from Breighhtmet, Harwood, and other areas who are eexperiencing similar issues.

Cllr John Walsh, who represents Astley Bridge and sits on the Grreater Manchester Combined Authority Overview and Scrutiny Committee, raised the issue over public consultations around the infrastructure being installed - during a recent meeting.

He said: “Under the 2003 Communication’s Act - and the Levelling Up Agenda subsequently - the planning controls which existed previously have largely been removed.

“In my own ward huge masts and cabinets are going on the highway and causing great public angst because they seem to be an eyesore and they are not the prettiest things that are going up.”

He says that City Fibre have been doing a “good job” with narrow trenching and good reinstatement of footpaths, but that he can recall many residents who say they have not had any public consultation over the poles going up.

He added: “We suddenly find that that they are supposed to consult, but they don’t.

“It seems to me that we ought to be saying that we welcome the opportunity for new providers to come in for speedier broadband, for faster network access for everyone at a lower cost, but at the same time we have got to think about the environmental impact of this infrastructure.”

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Cllr Walsh called for greater planning control to be given to local authorities and Highways over the installation.

It was agreed that recommendations would be made to Greater Manchester Combined Authority to make sure that the code of conduct was being followed when it comes to consultation, and that if changes are needed to planning legislation that action would be taken. 

A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “This issue is not unique to Bolton and, like other local authorities, we have concerns about the national planning rules on permitted development.

“We are engaging with providers to ensure the correct planning process is followed before telecoms infrastructure is installed.

“Where this is not the case, appropriate enforcement action will be taken.” 

If you have a story and something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at jasmine.jackson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @JournoJasmine.