Rugby ground phone mast appeal dismissed

A GOVERNMENT-appointed inspector has thrown out an appeal against the refusal of planning consent for a 20 metre telecommunications mast at Lymm Rugby Club’s Crouchley Lane ground.
He says the mast would be an inappropriate development in the Green Belt, adding to the “visual clutter and incipient urbanisation” of a generally open area of land.
Everything Everywhere Ltd had appealed against Warrington Borough Council refusal to grant permission for the mast.
The inspector, David Kaiserman, said there was an existing mast in the south western corner of the site and the appellants’ proposal was for a similar installation about 20 metres from it. A metal cabinet would be sited close to the main entrance to the club.
He accepted there was a need for a new mast in the area to improve and maintain the operator’s network and noted that Lymm Water Tower – a private residence and local sandstone landmark about 300 metres away, was suitable.
The appellants already had equipment on the tower and had attempted to locate the additional equipment on it. They had only failed to do so because agreement could not be reached with the owner on the appropriate level of rent.
The inspector concluded there were no very special circumstances for allowing the development in the Green Belt.