Blackfield: NFDC blocks plan for huge mast near Gang Warily

Icon Tower Infrastructure has been refused consent to erect an 80ft structure on part of a playing field opposite Gang Warily sports centre in Newlands Road, Blackfield.

New Forest District Council (NFDC) said the need for a new mast in the area could be met in a more "visually sympathetic" manner.

The applicant had sought permission to build a lattice tower supporting 12 antennas on two headframes, with six cabinets on the ground.

Plans to build an 80ft telecoms tower opposite Gang Warily sports centre have been thrown out (Image: Newsquest)

A council report said: "At present, the site area is relatively open, with wider open views to the north, south and east.

"The proposed structure would represent a prominent visual feature within the surrounding context due to its height and bulky headframes.

"The site occupies a small area of land to the rear of an existing skate park which does not appear to be actively utilised.

"Notwithstanding this, the development would potentially take the land out of use and act as a constraint on future potential improvements to the site, without offering a clear rationale for the loss of the open space."

Gang Warily stages several large events each year, including Armed Forces Day (Image: Newsquest)

The report said the applicant had not identified a particular local need or shortfall that would warrant a new mast.

"Their justification for the proposal seems to rely to a large degree on what they consider are difficulties associated with the continued use of existing telecommunications base stations on nearby pylons.

"It is not considered, based on the currently submitted information, that the applicant has provided a clear and compelling need for the proposed development.

"Continued use/upgrading of existing pylon base stations would be much less harmful to the visual amenities of the area than a new 25m mast in an open landscape setting.

"The scale and prominence of the structure would represent an inappropriate form of development in this location.

"It has not clearly been demonstrated that there is a defined need for infrastructure in this area that cannot be adequately addressed in a more visually acceptable manner."

Now the council has issued a decision notice citing what it describes as the tower's "significant height and bulky appearance".

"The proposed apparatus would be stark and intrusive within the surrounding wider context, and would therefore be detrimental to the character and visual amenity of the area," it said.

The only objection to the application was submitted by another telecoms provider, Cellnex.