Stadium flood-light could become telecoms tower

A football stadium flood-light could be repurposed as a telecommunications tower after a provider submitted plans.

Hereford FC's Edgar Street ground, is switching to more sustainable LED flood-lights, for which smaller stands closer to the pitch will be erected after the football season ends in mid-May.

Three of the existing 27m-tall flood-lights, which are among the tallest structures in the mostly low-rise city, are due to be taken down.

The fourth, on the north-west corner of the ground, could now host mobile telecoms equipment.

Network operators EE and Hutchison 3G, which trades as Three, have applied for planning permission at the ground, which the football club leases from Herefordshire Council.

Mobile Broadband Network Limited (MBNL), jointly owned by operators EE and Three, has been given notice to stop using its current mobile equipment on two existing towers at the Blackfriars End, where a former stand has been demolished.

"This new equipment is urgently required to maintain coverage," said the applicants' agent, Guy de Rose, adding the existing equipment was dilapidated and no longer met "operational requirements".

Under the plans, antennae, dishes and "associated ancillary works" would be installed on a platform on the north-west tower.

Mr de Rose added the project had been designed to "minimize environmental and visual impact while delivering substantial public benefits".

Comments on the application are invited until 20 May.

Herefordshire Council has not said when it will take down the remaining towers.

Separately, the authority has confirmed its redevelopment of the Blackfriars End will not now include student accommodation, but has given no further indication of its plans for the site.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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