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A planning inspector shot down an appeal made by a mobile phone company against Sheffield Council’s refusal of an “enormous” 5G mast residents said would “dominate the sky for miles around”.

EE and Hutchinson wanted to upgrade an 11 metre phone mast at the junction between Carter Knowle Road and Montrose Road to 20 metre high 5G mast, saying there was a “5G coverage hole” in the area.

The council refused the plans then the mobile company appealed.

The inspector dealing with the appeal said it was “incongruous”.

Phone mast on the junction between Carter Knowle Road and Montrose Road. A planning inspector shot down an appeal made by a mobile phone company against Sheffield Council’s refusal of an “enormous” 5G mast residents said would “dominate the sky for miles around”.

In a report prepared for this week’s meeting of the planning and highways committee, Abby Hartley, council officer, said: “She noted that the site is prominent and elevated due to the topography of the area and the junction has a wide degree of openness, meaning that the monopole would be highly visible in views from significant distances.

“The pole would be substantially taller than nearby lampposts and trees and of greater height than nearby buildings.

“She concluded that the pole would be an incongruous feature, be visually intrusive and would dominate its surroundings, with the associated cabinets adding to a cluttered street scene.

“It would therefore harm the character and appearance of the area. The application was not accompanied by a cell coverage map or any assessment of alternative sites and, as a consequence, it has not been robustly demonstrated that this site represents the least harmful option. On this basis the Inspector dismissed the appeal.”

Plans for the upgraded 5G phone mast. Phone mast on the junction between Carter Knowle Road and Montrose Road. A planning inspector shot down an appeal made by a mobile phone company against Sheffield Council’s refusal of an “enormous” 5G mast residents said would “dominate the sky for miles around”.

There were two objections from members of the public to the proposal both raising concerns about it being an “eyesore”.

One objector, who lives on Carter Knowle Road, said: “The proposed new structure is of a size and design that will detract from the residential character of the area.

“It is enormous. At 20 metres it is nearly twice the height of the existing mast and three times the width. It is also twice the height of the local pub it stands in front of.

“It does not respect the local views and will dominate the skyline for miles around.

“It is of a size and design that is completely alien to the residential character and overall quality of the area, and barely a roads width from the front windows of domestic properties.”

Phone company loses appeal for ‘enormous’ 5G phone mast in Sheffield neighbourhood