PLANS to boost mobile phone signals in Upton-upon-Severn have once again been thrown out by planning chiefs due to the detrimental effect they could have on the nearby wildlife.
Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Limited (CTIL) had submitted a second application on behalf of Vodafone and O2 to build a base station including a 15m mast and related equipment within a fenced compound on the land at Portman’s Farm, in Newbridge Green.
The new mast would have improved the existing 2G and 3G coverage as well as providing 4G coverage within Upton and surrounding areas.
However, CTIL’s project was refused after Malvern Hills District Council bosses said the proposals would affect the badgers and Great Crested Newts at Portland Farm.
CTIL had saw their initial plan back in February rejected by planning officers for exactly the same reasons.
In a report, the district council said: “The applicant has failed to demonstrate that the siting of the proposed mast and associated works would not impact on protected species.
“On this basis the council is unable to approve the siting of the development due to the lack of information and assessment in relation to the potential risk and adverse impact of the proposed development on such protected species.”
A number of residents had voiced their concerns once again over the re-submission of the planning application, stating there was ‘better sites’ in town which could be used for the location of a phone mast.
Other concerned residents slammed the application for the ‘adverse visual affect’ it would have on the surrounding landscape.
However, the Upton Town Partnership and Upton Business Association had backed the project, saying residents and businesses were ‘unacceptably’ impacted by the poor mobile phone reception in town.
They added the installation of a new mast was ‘vital’ for the economic and social life of the people and businesses of Upton.
In a statement to the Observer, CTIL said: “Vodafone and O2 customers expect to be able to use their mobiles and devices where they live, work and travel.
“Base stations are low powered devices which only cover approximately half a mile in radius and therefore we have to put base stations close to our customers.
“We have identified that we need to improve the coverage to our customers in Newbridge Green and applied for a base station at Portman Farm.
“We were disappointed that the local planning authority refused the application and we are reviewing our next steps to provide coverage to our customers locally.”
