‘Ugly’ 5G phone masts towering over Manchester homes springing up without council permission

Phone masts are becoming more and more common in Manchester as telecommunications firms seek to extend 5G data coverage, so smartphones can access the fastest internet speeds possible.

However, the masts can be controversial as they are usually taller than neighbouring houses and can appear quickly. That’s because, under current rules, telecommunications firms are allowed to put the masts in place under ‘permitted development’ legislation. 

The then-Conservative government changed planning rules in April 2022 so ‘new ground-based mobile masts up to 30 metres in non-protected areas’ and ‘up to 25 metres in protected areas’, such as conservation areas, are ‘permitted’.

That means they do not have to apply for planning permission to Manchester council, which limits residents’ abilities to comment on proposals and object, should they wish. But a new ‘forum’ will be established to discuss how masts can be erected ‘in a much more considerate way’, Manchester town hall’s director of planning, Julie Roscoe, revealed on Tuesday (September 2).

“We know some of the poles are ugly,” she told an economy scrutiny meeting. Unfortunately, they are a necessity, if we want good infrastructure, you need the equipment – it goes with it. We are talking about an operators forum, so we can talk about how we provide [the infrastructure] in a much more considerate way.

“We have less control over what’s delivered on the ground now. It’s permitted development. We do not have those levers.”

It could mean firms like WHP Telecomms Ltd will need to be more mindful of residential amenity in the future. WHP recently told Manchester council it is set to put up a 20m-tall mast in Crumpsall, supporting  six antennas, and be installed on a grass verge next to the Worldwide food store.

Residents can have their say on the plans online until September 19.