A controversial 5G mast in “an area of outstanding natural beauty” will not be built after hundreds opposed the plans.
Plans for a 5G on Sandy Lane in West Kirby near to the town’s sea front had been submitted to Wirral Council but were rejected over the impact on neighbours and harm to the area.
READ MORE: Man sexually assaults girl, 13, and then starts to dance
Wirral West Labour MP Margaret Greenwood also contacted the council urging them to consider the worries of those against the application.
In total the council received feedback from 294 people but only five were in support. A petition against the plans signed by 620 people also raised health concerns, impact on the environment, the area, and neighbours.
A Wirral Council report said there was “limited justification” for the plans and the benefits were “outweighed in this instance by the harm to amenity arising from the location of the mast” including on neighbours.
The report said: “The proposal would deliver tangible social and economic benefits in the form of improved mobile telecommunications technology in the immediate area, including provision of 5G services."
However it “would be unduly prominent and dominant in the street scene to the detriment of visual amenity and the character of the area" and this was why it was rejected.
Phone company Three, who were behind the application, previously said 5G is vital for people in West Kirby and needs to be near where people live.
Jane Austin, who lives next door, argued the plans would have narrowed the pathway and block the view of cars coming onto Sandy Lane.
She told the Echo in February: “It’s going to impact us massively. It’s double the size of our house so we’re completely overlooked by it. It’s a highly residential area and it’s just not the place whether you’re pro or against 5G. The fact it says on the proposed plans it won’t spoil the general outlook of the area is a complete lie.”
Some against the application argued it was the wrong location given how close it is to the sea front. Rob Austin said: “What is the point of putting it here because it’s going to go right out to sea?”
Others worried it could stop people from visiting West Kirby. Elizabeth Witchell said: “People from all over Merseyside come here for the seafront. Anything that injures that will take something away that is extremely valuable to many people.”
According to a council report, Cllr Simon Mountney said the proposal was worse than previously rejected masts while Cllr Jenny Johnson said: “This is a significant blot on what is a beautiful landscape. The views would be seriously spoilt in this area of outstanding natural beauty.”
READ NEXT:
Thomas Cashman set to be sentenced for Olivia Pratt-Korbel's murder today
Live updates as police close road outside Bootle Strand
Thomas Cashman sentencing updates as Olivia Pratt-Korbel killer to be jailed
