Victory for Wigan borough campaigners as plans for 16m 5G mast are rejected

Cignal Infrastructure Limited UK’s plans for a 16m high mast on the footpath between a primary school and a children’s play area sparked outrage within the Mosley Common community on the outskirts of Tyldesley.

Though many residents agreed faster network speeds and capacity was needed in the area – which the plans would have brought – they did not want it to create an eyesore in a picturesque location.

Coun James Fish, who was part of the campaign to reject this plan, has labelled this a victory for the people of Mosley Common and common sense.

He said: “I am very pleased for the local residents who campaigned against the mast as the planning department agreed that the proposed mast would not be in keeping with the area. Particular credit should go to local residents who made comments or objected.

“This is a victory for common sense and proper enforcement of planning rules. Whilst I’m not against the 5G installation and understand we need better connectivity, companies like Cignal Infrastructure UK should consult local residents first before submitting planning applications.”

Residents who live near St John’s Mosley Common CE Primary School, next door to where the proposed development was touted, believe the need for better connectivity should not come at the expense of greenspace.

Beth Fletcher, who lives opposite the proposed site, said previously: “5G is needed around here, but the location picked should be better. It will disturb the picturesque view of the green.

“There are lots of different places it could’ve been put. They’ve chosen the worst location.

“For me it’s not particularly the mast, but the substation that is the issue. There is a school and a park there.

“The kids could fall into the road with the cabinet taking up a large amount of space. Legally I’m sure it’s fine but from a practical point of view, if it didn’t cause an accident I’d be shocked.

“If you have a few kids, it will be on a narrowed path which is impacted. I’d be shocked if someone doesn’t get knocked over or an accident happens.”

Beth described the area as a community hub, and with lots of children coming to and from the area using the play area or going to school. In addition to concerns over the mast being an eyesore, residents also worry about the traffic congestion during construction.

In their reasoning for the refusal, Wigan Council agreed with objectors that the mast would be ‘visually intrusive and incongruous in the street scene to the detriment of the character of the area’. The planning officers explained that the applicant failed to demonstrate any justification for this location that ‘would outweigh the harm caused by the proposed siting of the mast’.

Cignal Infrastructure Limited UK will now need to find a new location for the mast in the area as there is still a recognised need for telecommunications systems.