The Chair introduced the item to the committee and invited the Development Team Leader to present his report. 

The Chair thanked the Development Team Leader for his report and reminded the committee that only the siting and appearance were to be discussed. 

In response to a question from Councillor Watkin, the Development Team Leader explained that most telecommunications masts were now shared amongst providers.  Whilst this reduced the number of masts required, the new 5G antennas had a shorter range than older iterations, so generally more masts were needed to deal with the range and the increased usage of phones and data. 

There was a short discussion around 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G.  It was acknowledged that we all used and needed our mobile phones. 

The Chair then proposed a vote that prior approval be granted subject to the conditions contained in section 8 of the officer’s report. 

In accordance with Standing Committee Procedure Rules, paragraph 4.2, Councillor Jeffree requested that it be recorded in the minutes how members cast their votes.

Those members voting for the motion:

Councillors Bell, Collett, Jeffree, Johnson, Mills, Pattinson, Sharpe, Smith and Watkin.

Those members voting against the motion:

None.

The motion was declared to be CARRIED unanimously.

RESOLVED –

That the prior approval be granted, subject to the following conditions.

1.    The development to which this permission relates shall be begun within a period of five years commencing on the date of this permission.

2.    The mast and shroud shall be coloured light grey (unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority) and shall be retained as such at all times.

3.    The development shall be carried out in accordance with the following drawings, unless otherwise approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority:

100A, 200B, 201B, 300A, 301B