TWO further applications for 5G masts in Chester have been lodged with the council – while two applications have been thrown out.

The two new applications are for a 15-metre mast on Castle Croft Road, Westminster Park, and for a 16-metre mast on Newton Lane.

Earlier this year we reported that all but one planning application for a 5G mast in the city had been rejected since the start of the year.

That total now stands at eight rejections and one approval.

The one approved was for a 16-metre 5G mast on Stadium Way, opposite the Matalan entrance.

The latest rejections were one for a 15-metre mast at the junction of Appleyards Lane and Hartington Street, Handbridge, and a 15-metre mast bid for A41 Moston Road, near the junction of Flag Lane South.

Telecoms firms on behalf of CK Hutchison Networks (UK) Ltd have been tasked with helping to roll out the 5G network across the city, boosting the signal over the coming months.

Documents from a range of applicants say 5G networks are "crucial to drive productivity and growth across the sectors that local areas are focusing on through their emerging Local Industrial Strategies", and 5G networks will "bring faster, more responsive and reliable connections than ever before".

Safety guidance attached to the applications also allays radiation concerns, saying mobile 5G is broadcast using radio waves at frequencies between that of commonly used Wi-Fi connections, lower than that of remote-controlled devices and at the lower end of what microwaves emit.

But the locations and sizes of the new masts have resulted in a series of community backlashes, who say the masts will be visually dominant and stand out as eyesores.

More than 100 residents objected to the Handbridge proposal, including two petitions, while there were two letters of support.

Issues raised by residents included:

  • The proposal is to be located at an inappropriate location - in a high residential and densely populated area
  • The mast, at 15m high would greatly distort the harmonious architectural aspect of the streets meeting at this junction
  • The proposed mast is too big and will dominate the area
  • Result in significant visual harm
  • Out of keeping with the character and architectural features of the area

A planning officer concluded: "The proposed telecommunications development by virtue of its siting, height, and scale, would be a highly visible, overly dominant, and incongruous structure which would harm the visual amenity and character of the area.

"It has not been demonstrated that there are no more suitable alternative sites available."

While no representations had been received for the A41 proposed mast, a planning officer concluded: "the proposed development is considered to have an unacceptable adverse impact on the character and appearance of the area by virtue of its siting and appearance.

"The option of requesting a height reduction has been considered but given the height of the surrounding built development/structures, it is considered this would not overcome the harm to visual amenity."

At the time of writing, the two new proposed 5G masts for Castle Croft Road and Newton Lane have each had dozens of objections.

Westminster Park residents have objected to the siting being in a residential area, close to Belgrave Primary School, and it being "an eyesore", echoing the objections made by residents for previous 5G mast applications in Chester.

Residents in and around Newton Lane, meanwhile, say the proposed mast would be "hugely ugly", would "tower" over homes, and the site would have a "notable detrimental effect" on the restoration and regeneration of the nearby Newton Hollows.

Some of the objectors have suggested installing the masts at an alternative site, such as on the rooftop of a large building.