Vodafone have applied to install a shared mobile phone base station, that will provide 2G and 3G coverage to the surrounding area for both Vodafone and Telefonica O2, on a triangular section of grass at the junction of Macclesfield Road and Underwood Road.
Vodafone are proposing to install a 15 metre high replica telegraph pole, incorporating 3 antennas for Vodafone and 3 antennas for O2 which will be concealed with a shroud. The installation will be sited next to an existing street lighting column and other existing street furniture that includes telegraph poles and utilities equipment.
Vodafone state that "The proposed site is also set against a back drop of tall and mature trees which will break up the appearance of the replacement replica telegraph pole resulting in minimal impact upon the surrounding amenity."
Vodafone and Telefonica O2 require a site in this location in order to improve radio coverage and capacity in the surrounding area, this location currently suffers from low levels of 3G coverage therefore an installation is apparently required to bring 3G coverage in the area up to the standards set by Vodafone, Telefonica O2 and the requirements of central government. By mast sharing there will be no need to install a second ground based mast in the immediate locality
A letter was sent to Cheshire East Council Planning Department on 14th January informing them of Vodafone's proposals to install a 15 metre high shareable replica telegraph pole that could accommodate O2.
In response Cheshire East Council Planning Department highlighted that the site is located within the Edge Conservation Area and following consultation with the Conservation Officer it was indicated that the Local Planning Authority would be unlikely to support such a proposal.
As a result Vodafone re-examined the possibility of siting the shareable radio base station at an alternative site, however they decided that no alternative location was available that would meet their coverage requirements or represented a more visually acceptable site.
Vodafone explained that "The site is located within the Edge Conservation Area because this is where Vodafone and O2 need to provide coverage. Radio base stations are low-powered devices and can only cover limited geographical areas, whilst in theory radio signals can travel tens of kilometres, in reality landscapes, trees or buildings severely restrict this.
"In built up areas a single small base station might only cover as little as a few hundred metres, for this reason it is essential that base stations are located where people need to use their mobiles."
To date nine letters of objection have been received regarding the proposed telecommunications development at Macclesfield Road, citing health concerns and the impact upon property values as reasons for their objections.
For further information regarding this application, including alternative sites that have been considered, background information for telecommunications developments, drawings and supporting material go to the local planning portal, click on "Search For a Planning Application or Appeal" and enter planning reference 10/0650M.
The Parish Council will be discussing this application at their monthly meeting on Monday April 12th and all letters of objection and support must be received by April 14th.
