Thumbs Down from Council for Charecroft Way Monopole
But new application for 5G telecoms mast already made for Australia Road
Charecroft Way is behing the W12 Shopping Centre
January 30, 2023
H&F Council planners have given the thumbs down to an application to install a 20 metre high monopole and surrounding base cabinets in Charecroft Way, behind the W12 shopping centre.
This is the latest in a spate of applications for 5G telecoms masts at locations across the borough, and the third to be turned down in the last two months.
And despite these latest refusals, another application has already been registered, this time for a 15 metre high monopole in White City’s Australia Road.
This new application, which is currently open for comments, is as follows;
Installation of a 15m high Phase 8 Monopole, 3no equipment cabinets and associated ancillary works. Outside Ellenborough House Australia Road White City Estate London W12
Full details can be seen on the council’s website using the reference 2023/00169/TEL56.
Australia Road
The previous application meanwhile, reference 022/03500/TEL56, was for:
Installation of a freestanding 20 metre high slim-line monopole, supporting 6 no. antennas with 1 no. wraparound equipment cabinet at the base, 2 no. additional equipment cabinets, 1 no. electric meter cabinet, and associated ancillary works. Footway At Charecroft Way London W14 0EE.
Two further applications receiving the thumbs down in the last two months were for monopoles in Fulham Palace and Wandsworth Bridge Roads.
All these applications, which are generally made by or on behalf of the CK Hutchison Group which operates the Three network, require prior approval consent from the council, and all have been refused.
A letter accompanying the applications from Matt Warman MP from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport emphasises the importance of these mobile base stations in extending 5G coverage. However, the council’s objections to the 15 - 20 metre high monopoles range from their dominance over the surroundings to safety issues.
For example, reasons for refusing the Charecroft Way application were that it would be a dominant and visually intrusive structure; the additional footway clutter would result in negative impacts on the pedestrian environment and lower pedestrian safety and it would affect the health of nearby trees.
However, these consistent refusals by the council are not the end of the story, because CK Hutchison has launched a number of appeals to The Planning Inspectorate.
While some have been unsuccessful, The Planning Inspectorate did overrule the council in 2022 and grant consent to a 15 metre high monopole in Fulham’s Farm Lane.
15 metre high monopole on Farm Lane in Fulham
In his judgement, the Planning Inspectorate’s David Wyborn conceded that the monopole would cause visual harm to its immediate area, but added, “ I consider that this harm is outweighed by the substantial public benefits which would result from the proposal. Accordingly, I consider that material considerations indicate that the decision should be made otherwise than in accordance with the development plan such that the planning balance falls in favour of prior approval being granted.”
After achieving this success, further appeals against the council’s decisions can be expected in the future.
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