Telecoms tower set to be built near Gang Warily sports site

A proposal to install the tower near Gang Warily in Newlands Road, Blackfield, was thrown out by New Forest District Council earlier this year.

But the authority has ruled that the latest application does not need its approval.

Following the submission of the original plan, the council criticised the "stark and intrusive" structure, claiming the alleged need for a new mast in the area could be met in a more "visually sympathetic" manner.

The proposed tower is due to be built opposite the Gang Warily sports centre in Newlands Road, Blackfield (Image: Newsquest)

Icon Tower Infrastructure had sought permission for a tower supporting 12 antennas on two headframes, with six cabinets on the ground.

READ MORE: Plan to build 80ft telecoms tower opposite Gang Warily sports centre rejected by New Forest District Council

A council report said: "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."

The latest application has been given the green light by New Forest District Council, which said the revised scheme did not need its approval (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."

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

Now, a revised scheme has been given the all-clear.

In a letter to the council, Icon Tower Infrastructure said its new application sought to address the previous reasons for refusal.

It added: "The design of the proposal has been improved by the removal of the two headframes, the proposed six antennas are installed tight to the tower, and the tower has been reduced in width to a more slimline design."

The company said the changes would "significantly reduce the impact on the character and visual amenity of the area".