Company's 5G phone mast appeal thrown out

A bid to get a 5G phone mast erected has been thrown out by a planning inspector.

The telecoms infrastructure company Cornerstone had wanted to install a 20.6m (68 ft) mast on Codsall Road, on the outskirts of Wolverhampton.

The city council had previously refused planning permission because of the impact it would have on people living there, but the company lodged an appeal.

However, the planning inspector agreed with the council and dismissed the appeal, ruling that due to its height and bulk, the mast would appear as a stark, incongruous, manmade feature on the landscape.

Despite there being some trees in the area, the inspector also said the mast would be clearly visible to people living nearby.

Cornerstone, which supports Virgin Media, O2 and Vodafone, previously said it gave "great consideration to the location and design of our developments".

Chairman of the Tettenhall District Community Trust, Neal Kelshaw, said: "This is excellent news for the district and upholds both the character and policies of the neighbourhood plan."

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

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