66ft mast to be built next to Sandwell bus station, despite concerns about impact on 18th century mansion and park
A 66ft mobile phone mast will be built within yards of an 18th century mansion, despite concerns about the impact it will have on the historic building and park.
Sandwell Council planning chief Andrew Lunt has given technology giant Cornerstone permission to build the mast at the rear of Bearwood bus station, despite concerns that it may affect nearby Lightwoods House and Park, just over 100 yards away.
Lightwoods House, a Grade II listed building owned by Sandwell Council, recently benefited from a £5.5 million restoration.
The scheme will see a single-pole mast installed, with six antennae and two satellite dishes installed at the top. There will also be two equipment cabinets installed at ground level.
A planner's report said neighbours had been notified of the scheme, and there had been no response.
It said the mast would be 110 yards away from Lightwoods House, a country house owned by Sandwell Council, which dated back to 1780.
"The conservation officer has stated the proposal would have a slight negative impact on the setting of the listed building," said the report.
It said the mast and cabinets would be painted a fir green colour, to mitigate the impact.
"The conservation officer is happy this colour would blend the mast into the adjacent trees which would lessen its impact and harm."
The report said there were also street lamps and security cameras in the area, and said the bottom half of the mast would be screened by trees of up to 33ft in height.
"Although the mast would be substantially higher than any other structure in the immediate area, given the context of the surrounding area being a bus station, the site being located within a town centre and high trees obscuring the lower level of the mast from view on Hagley Road West, the siting and appearance of the mast in this location would cause little harm to the character or appearance of the wider the area," said the report.
In 2015 it was announced that Lightwoods House would be restored after falling into a state of decay.
The council put in £1.6 million of funding, with a further £3.9 million coming from Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund.
