'Stark and anomalous' 20m phone mast plan on Sewell Highway refused

There were objections raised - and the council had its own concerns



Plans for a 'dominant' 20m high phone mast on a residential road in Coventry have been refused. The application asked if prior council approval was needed for the 20m high telecommunications mast as well as cabinets on land on Sewell Highway.

According to a city council officer report, there were three letters of objection about the plan. They raised concerns about the masts being 'unsightly and overbearing to the area'.

The council shared these concerns, according to the officer report. "The Local Planning Authority (LPA) recognise the benefits of high-quality telecommunications within the city and aim to take a pragmatic approach when assessing such applications," the decision notice explains.

But it went on: "However, in this case the mast will be highly prominent within the street scene, exacerbated by its dominant height. The screening offered by adjacent trees does not sufficiently alleviate this visual impact.

"There will be direct views of the mast and cabinets from the dwelling houses opposite. These properties are set just 20m from the mast, the same distance as the mast’s height.

"The mast would appear as a highly dominant feature set so close to the residential properties. From such close views and with no intervening screening the proposed mast would appear as a stark and anomalous feature, creating an unduly prominent feature that would unacceptably harm the outlook of the occupiers of opposite dwellings.

"The mast, cabinets and bollards will be colour coated black to match existing street furniture and lampposts. The siting and appearance of the proposed mast, cabinets and ancillary development are therefore considered unacceptable."

It goes on to add that other locations need to be looked at. "It is noted that the proposed mast is sited in a natural dip, on a lower land level that the existing mast on Blackberry Lane," the report reads.

"With further investigation it may be that a new site can be located that allows a mast to be provided at a lower height that will sit more comfortably within the context of the residential street scene.

"The LPA consider that the scheme would benefit from a further sequential approach to demonstrate that there are no technically feasible less harmful alternatives available."