Mobile phone masts could be installed on historic buildings

Proposals for 11 new phone masts up to 65ft tall across Harrogate and Knaresborough have sparked outrage among residents who have described the structures as monstrosities.

Despite two of the most controversial applications, on Boroughbridge Road and King James’s School, being withdrawn and planners rejecting six more, a fresh wave of bids is expected to be submitted soon.

WFS Telecom, the company behind the applications, says the new masts are necessary to cope with a huge increase in demand since the launch of devices like the iPhone and BlackBerry and need to be within close proximity of businesses and homes.

Now Coun Jim Clark, Harrogate Council’s Cabinet member for planning and transport says the only way forward could be for the mobile phone antennae to be erected inside and on top of Harrogate’s churches and public buildings, with plans already in place to install them at the Grade I listed St Wilfrid’s Church and the former St Mary’s Church off Cold Bath Road.

Coun Clark, who has met with the telephone company over the controversial applications, said: “These masts are a last resort, is what the company have said, but I think they need to think again.

“We need masts somewhere, but we can get them on public buildings.

“It would be much easier than putting up massive masts on public footpaths.

“I appreciate there would be a lot of opposition to this as people in Harrogate are very proud of their public buildings, but it is something worth looking at more.

“We cannot just let some of these phone masts be built on the footpaths.”

Civic leaders have given cautious backing to the controversial proposals – similar to an Orange mobile phone mast built several years ago on the roof of Ripon Cathedral’s central tower – but say each application would need to be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Henry Pankhurst, acting chairman of Harrogate Civic Society, which has opposed many of the new phone mast applications, said: “We believe the proposals at St Wilfrid’s Church would see the antennae installed inside the bell tower and there would be no visible change to the building.

“If that were to be the case with other churches and public buildings then that is what we would have to accept.

“These would be better than mobile phone masts on pavements.

“Clearly in a church tower there is a huge amount of space.

“Some of these buildings are very old and are what gives Harrogate its unique character.

“We as a civic society cannot have any real knowledge about the necessity of these new mobile phone masts.

“A lot of people think mobile phone coverage in Harrogate is pretty adequate already.

“But if they really are necessary I don’t think we have any complaints about putting them in public buildings – although we would have to take each case as it comes along.”

In recent weeks, planners in Harrogate have refused applications to build masts on Cold Bath Road, outside Bilton Cricket Club, at the Jubilee Roundabout, Leadhall Lane and Crab Lane.

Plans for a mast measuring 65ft to be built outside St Aidan’s School, which would be four and a half times the height of a double decker bus, have also been refused.

A company spokesman said all of the new masts were necessary to improve coverage for third-generation mobile devices.

He also tried to allay concerns over potential health effects, pointing out that all masts were designed and operated to meet with strict guidelines.

Mobile phone masts emit low levels of radiofrequency fields.