Final extension then temporary mast must go

Planning permission has been granted for a temporary mast to remain at the telephone exchange for a further nine months.

However, members of the Northern Planning Committee decided this was the final time they will be granted an extension and the mast must be removed by 30th September 2017.

Councillor Craig Browne said "The members decided that the nine-month permission should start from the end of the month that the previous temporary permission expired, i.e. November 2016, with an additional condition that all equipment must be removed from the site by 30th September otherwise enforcement action will follow."

Arqiva were granted permission for a temporary mast to remain at the telephone exchange for a further six months in May 2016. The equipment was due to removed from Moss Lane by 31st November 2016, however, Arqiva then submitted another application on behalf of EE and Hutchison.

They have provided 2G and 3G coverage for commercial, retail and residential customers for a long time from the Festival Hall but due to the redevelopment of the hall and construction of the Medical Centre the operators were required to remove the mast.

The planning officer's report, prepared for the Northern Planning Committee, stated "It is considered that the retention at this location is only acceptable on the basis that meaningful progress has now taken place on identifying a permanent site and therefore satisfies the three threads of 'sustainability' as stipulated within the NPPF (2012)."

The applicant stated "Unfortunately, the identification of a permanent replacement site has taken longer than anticipated. It has proved extremely challenging for the operators to bring together all the various elements to enable a site to be built in what is a very densely built up area with restrictive designations (including conservation areas and green belt beyond the settlement). These elements include the requirement for duplicate coverage and line of sight provision, a viable power supply, vehicular access to the site, as well as planning permission and completion of a lease agreement with a landowner.

"After multiple site searches a replacement site has been identified (which we can confirm is not at the telephone exchange) and the operators are progressing the acquisition of the site. This has taken longer than anticipated and it is now expected that it will be operational in nine months time – hence the request to maintain the temporary installation at the telephone exchange for a further temporary period of time. This will allow the necessary continuity of coverage and capacity for the operator's customers in Alderley Edge."

The application was 'called-in' to committee at the request of Councillor Craig Browne who said "The residents of Moss Lane/Orchard Green have previously been very understanding with the telephone company (Arquiva Limited). They received written assurance from the applicant that the mast would be temporary in nature and in good faith, have accepted its presence for over two years. The latest application for a further temporary extension has provoked a strong reaction from those residents and the Parish Council."

The Parish Council recommended refusal stating "This will have been in place for a number of years with ongoing renewals. It is unsightly and needs to be removed."

Six residents of Orchard Green also objected to the retention of the temporary mast.

One resident said "I would appreciate if the council will listen to the residents of Orchard Green and not extend the retention of this unsightly mast for nine months. The previous extension was meant to be temporary and this seems to be continuing as the 'easy option'.

"The mast has been a blight on our beautiful area for far too long and now should be removed. I do feel that the owners have had long enough to relocate their 'moveable ground based communications equipment' and it should now be moved."

Another resident said "This unsightly structure is too close to our properties and dominates the landscape of Orchard Green. Ii is clearly visible from both inside and outside my property. It is an eyesore and should never have been allowed to be put there in the first place."