West Berkshire Council dismisses appeal for 5G phone mast in East Ilsley
West Berkshire Council has dismissed an appeal to instal a 16m phone mast in East Ilsley.
Earlier this year, the district council refused an application submitted by CK Hutchison Networks Ltd in December 2021 to build a telecommunications mast and ancillary infrastructure near Fiddlers Lane, East Ilsley.
The council expressed concern over the proposed mast's proximity (26 metres) to the bridge under the A34 trunk road, calling it a "hazard to highway users" which contradicted "policy CS13 of the West Berkshire Core Strategy (2006-2026)." But the applicant's appeal stated its proposal aligns with National Planning Policies (NPPF) and the council's Development Plan.
It said the company was "confident the proposed infrastructure would not be detrimental to the amenity or character of the area [an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty] when weighed against the considerable benefits the development would deliver for residents and businesses in the cell search area. Robust evidence has been provided to demonstrate the need for this location."
The Planning Inspectorate visited the proposed site in November and its report, published on December 14, said: "There are already deficiencies in the visibility splays along this section of Fiddlers Lane. This is likely to be further obstructed by the siting of the proposed equipment, exacerbating existing sub-standard visibility for drivers along the bend. The proposal is therefore likely to increase the risk of vehicle collision should pedestrians, vehicles or other obstructions be in the road."
"There is insufficient evidence to demonstrate that there are not any more suitable alternative sites for the proposal.
"Due to the potential harm to highway safety, it is important that an appropriate search of alternative sites has been undertaken to justify the proposal."
The government's Manual for Streets (MFS) explains that forward visibility is the distance a driver needs to see ahead to stop safely in the road. The minimum forward visibility required is equal to the minimum stopping sight distance (SSD). Based on the required SSD, the Local Highway Authority has demonstrated that there are already deficiencies in the visibility splays along this section of Fiddlers Lane.
But, the inspector did say the proposal "will not harm the special qualities of the AONB", adding "the appellant has provided a certificate to confirm that the proposal has been designed to comply with the guidelines published by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP)".
East Ilsley Parish Council objected to the original application on the same grounds, saying: "That specific location is in one of the lowest parts of the valley; the site in question is 6m lower than the A34 road. We are flanked either side by hills, providing a higher location for a mast, and therefore a better site for the mast and it’s network connectivity."
