Council challenged over refusal of new 5G mast in Perth

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A telecoms company has appealed to the Scottish Government to overturn a council decision to deny it consent to put up a 20 metre high 5G mast in Perth.CK Hutchison Networks (UK) sought approval from Perth and Kinross Council to position the mast on a path next to Dunkeld Road in September last year saying the site had been chosen as it was “the only viable solution that minimises amenity issues”.However the local authority’s development management team withheld consent for the installation near the city’s ‘Motor Mile’ arguing the mast “would tower above all surrounding features” and form “a dominant element in the attractive street scene”.Their report of handling said: “Its presence in this location would draw the eye, detracting from the pleasant character of the area and the established sense of place.”The case officer who wrote the report also argued the proposed installation would lead to “an unacceptable restriction to the free-flowing movement of pedestrians, pushchairs and wheelchairs” along the path “presenting an unacceptable risk to safety”.Their report added the site was located on land “subject to a strategic council scheme for a green travel corridor” and it was therefore “unlikely” a land acquisition agreement would be reached for the proposal.However CK Hutchison has now asked the government’s Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) to consider overruling the council arguing the case officer who withheld consent for the mast failed to fully appreciate the public benefit of the proposal.Telecoms service provider WHP Telecoms has said in an appeal statement on CK Hutchison’s behalf: “The proposal has been designed to remain as discreet as physically possible yet still facilitate multiple