Council overruled on 5G tower opposite Wolverhampton proposed housing estate
A council has been overruled on a move to stop a 5G tower from being built in front of a planned new housing estate.
Wolverhampton Council has refused a plan to install the 20-metre 5G tower in front of one of its primed housing sites in Craddock Street, Whitmore Reans, saying it would be “to the detriment” of future residents.
But despite admitting the 5G tower would ‘harm the character’ of the area, the government planning inspector overruled the council and has allowed the work to go ahead.
The planning inspector said the ‘social and economical benefits’ of the new phone tower would outweigh any visual flaws. The inspector also disagreed with the council saying the tower was not “unduly incongruous or overbearing” and would not be an “untypical” feature of the street.
“Whilst the size of the proposed monopole would exceed that of other structures, it would be located along an urban street where other utilitarian structures are visible, and in front of a rather stark and functional palisade fence”, the inspector said in a report outlining the decision.
“Due to its conspicuous height and functional appearance the siting and appearance of the proposal would cause harm to the character and appearance of the area.
“However, given the surrounding context of a busy urban street scape and commercial development, the scale of this harm would be limited.”
Cornerstone Telecommunications had asked for permission to install the tower and equipment opposite Gill’s Bar and Banqueting, the former Pegasus pub, and the old Grasshoppers building which was destroyed by a huge fire in 2021.
The now empty site has appeared in the council’s housing plans since the early 1990s and was included in various development plans and housing documents without action – and most recently appeared as a potential site for up to 48 new homes.
The council’s planners said in the rejection at the end of 2024: “The proposed mast would be sited on an attractive landscaped land on Craddock Street which adjoins an area that is allocated for housing in the development plan and this proposal would be to the detriment of the occupiers of future residents.
“The size and appearance of the monopole and equipment cabinets would create visual clutter and introduce an overly prominent, incongruous and alien feature to the streetscene.”
