Phone mast that has been compared to the Eiffel Tower approved despite opposition from residents

Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council’s planning committee signed off on an application for a 22m tall telecoms pole in a Dromara cul-de-sac.

Objections made on the Northern Ireland Planning Portal include Lagan Valley MP MP Sorcha Eastwood, with concerns expressed by others that the new structure would “dwarf” homes as a replacement to the existing 15m monopole and have a negative visual impact.

The applicant, ‘Cornerstone Ltd’, was not present at the planning meeting.

A spokesperson for the residents said: “This new mast will be at a greater height of 7m and will be visually intrusive to the area, there is a shock at the size increase.

“We have no problem with any health issues, but this proposed mast will dwarf the new houses in the area.”

The designs for the new 5G mast will see a new “lattice” open frame structure replace the old solid monopole a distance of 5m away, before the former mast is taken down.

The committee was told approximately 15 other sites had been rejected by the applicant for technical reasons including locations close to a Presbyterian Church and a GP’s health centre.

Speaking in support of the residents, Alderman Aaron McIntyre said: “I want to be clear that residents are not opposed to 5G or improvements to telecommunications infrastructure in Dromara Village.

“The proposal represents a substantial increase in height, bulk, and visual mass.

"Replacing the monopole with a 22-metre lattice tower, seven metres taller, would result in a structure that is significantly more visually intrusive.

“In this residential context, the tower would be out of scale, dominate the skyline, dwarf nearby homes, and lead to a clear loss of visual amenity.”

The application had previously been deferred for a site visit by the planning committee with a recommendation from council officers for approval.

Councillor Jonathan Craig said: “I’m no expert on telecommunications, the need for a higher mast and for it to be moved 5m baffles me, though I understand there is a technical requirement.

“I understand the move to a lattice structure from a solid monopole, you only have to look at the Eiffel Tower to see how long such a structure lasts. It is just a shame the applicant is not here to answer some fundamental questions.”

A proposal to defer the matter to invite the applicant to the chamber failed, with chairperson James Tinsley required to cast a deciding vote.

The original application for the monopole allowed for a future 10% increase in size.

However, as the new mast will be almost 50% higher a new planning application had to be entered to the council.

Councillor Nicholas Trimble commented: “I hang my hat on planning policy on impact of visual amenity.

“If I was in the residents’ shoes I would be very, very upset about this.”

Councillor Pat Catney added: “This is a finally balanced application, but I think it is right that we support investment in the area.”

A majority vote of four in favour and two against approved the application.