Phone mast plans for borough

MOBILE phone operators are likely to seek planning consent for only about five new masts in the Warrington area next year – three less than they forecast last year.
This appears to be because the well established operators – O2, Orange and Vodafone – are already relatively well covered across the borough and Hutchinson 3G have confirmed a corporate decision not to undertake a significant roll-out of new sites in the coming year.
However, Town Hall officers have warned that this could result in a substantial increase in proposed sites in future years, in view of Hutchinson’s reduced number of established sites compared with other companies.
Hutchinson have 32 operation sites and one proposed which already has planning consent. They are not expecting to apply for any more in the coming year.
T-Mobile, with 29 operation sites and two more which already have planning consent, have the smallest number in the borough but are proposing only one new site this year, in Long Lane, Warrington.
Orange have 40 sites, with six others already granted planning approval. They have indicated one likely new installation during the year, in Greenalls Avenue, Wilderspool.
O2 have 37 operational sites and one other already approved. They are expected to apply for one more in the Great Sankey-Penketh area, following the recent refusal of permission for one in Warrington Road, Penketh.
Vodafone have 39 operation sites with one more already approved. They have indicated two more applications, in Townfield Lane, Winwick and Howson Road, Longford.
Telecommunications companies are required to provide the council with an annual report on likely development in the form of a roll-out plan. But it does not mean all proposals will come forward and does not automatically sanction development.
Council officers are attempting to provide guidance on appropriate sites – particularly where masts could be shared.