A COMMUNICATIONS company looking to install a 25-metre 5G tower on the old Smithfield Market does not need prior approval for the work, Shropshire Council has ruled.

Last month, an application to build a ‘shareable’ telecommunications base with a 25-metre lattice tower, 12 antennas, four dishes on two headframes and five ground-based cabinets in Shrewsbury Road.

Planning officers at Shropshire Council ruled last week that applicants Icon Tower Infrastructure Ltd, based in Manchester, did not need permission.

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Mark Perry, planning officer at Shropshire Council, set out the reasons why in his report.

He said: “It is considered that the proposed mast and ancillary development, having regard to the location that is within the context of other industrial development, street light and flag poles would not appear as a prominent feature.

“The site also benefits from some tree planting which will help to screen the lower sections of the tower and the base units.

“It is considered that the proposed works would not have a detrimental impact on the landscape and visual amenity and will over the benefits of providing a mast that can be shared by operators thereby improving mobile network coverage in the area.”

According to Mr Perry’s report, the tower will provide a radio base station and mast which is provided for the specific purpose of being shared by other operators.

He added: “By sharing infrastructure it helps to minimise unnecessary proliferation of communications apparatus, which can have an environmental and visual impact.”

The mast will be built on land owner by Oswestry Town Council and will sit between the Oswestry Livestock Market and Maes-Y-Clawdd industrial estate.

Mr Perry added: “. At present part of the site is occupied by three small derelict sheds which would be removed as part of the proposal.

“To the south and east there are rows of trees which would provide screening, in particular for the lower level apparatus.  

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“Overall the proposed site is in an area that is dominated by large industrial shed development.”

The planning application did not receive any objections from the public and Oswestry Town Council, staying neutral, requested that there is not a detrimental effect on housing developments along Shrewsbury Road.

In its planning application, Icon says the Smithfield site is ‘needed’ for its Mobile Network Operator (MNO) to deliver to more than 100 other, smaller, networks.